THE  NOVELS  OF 
BJORNSTJERNE  BJORNSON 


^ yearning  anb  g^abor.  ^ 

I LIBRARY  I 

W OF  THE  W 

I University  of  Illinois.  | 

i CI.ASS.  BOOK.  VOI.UMK. 

# 

W Books  are  not  to  be  taken  from  the  Library. 

A 

Accession  No 


# 


The  person  charging  this  material  is  re- 
sponsible for  its  return  to  the  library  from 
which  it  was  withdrawn  on  or  before  the 
Latest  Date  stamped  below. 

Theft,  mutilation,  and  underlining  of  books  are  reasons 
for  disciplinary  action  and  may  result  in  dismissal  from 
the  University. 

To  renew  call  Telephone  Center,  333>8400 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS  LIBRARY  AT  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/bridalmarchonedaOObjrn 


m-' 


THE  NOVELS  OF 


BJORNSTJERNE  BJORNSON 


VOLUME  V 


THE  NOVELS  OF 


BJORNSTJERNE  BJORNSON 

Edited  by  EDMUND  GOSSE 

Synnbve  Solbakken 
Arne 

A Happy  Boy 

The  Fisher  Lass 

The  Bridal  March^  ^ One  Day 

Magnhild^  6^  Dust 

Captain  Mansana^  Mothers  Hands 

Absalom's  Hair^  Sf  A Painful  Memory 

NE  W YORK 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO, 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


& 

ONE  DAY 


BY 

BJORNSTJERNE  BJORNSON 


{Translated  from  the  Norwegian) 


NEW  YORK 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO. 
1896 


Ail  rights  reserved 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTE 


[The  Bridal  March  (Bnide-Slaatten)  was 
written  in  Christiania  in  1872,  It  was  originally 
published  in  the  second  volume  of  the  first  popular 
edition  of  Bjornson's  collected  tales^  issned  in  Copen- 
hagen in  that  year.  In  November  1873^  a small 
edition  was  published  in  separate  form,  and  this 
was  followed  by  an  illustrated  issue,  of  which  a 
second  edition  appeared  in  1877.  The  Bridal 
March  was  originally  composed  as  the  text  to  four 
designs  by  the  Norwegian  painter,  Tidemand,  It 
was  dedicated  to  Hans  Christian  Andersen. 

One  Day  {En  Dag)  was  originally  issued  in  the 
Norwegian  Magazine  ^^Nyt  Tidsscrift,^^  late  in 
1893 ; and  was  republished  in  a volume  of  short 
stories  during  the  following  year, 

E,  G.] 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


There  lived  last  century,  in  one  of  the  high- 
lying  inland  valleys  of  Norwa}^,  a fiddler,  who 
has  become  in  some  degree  a legendary  per- 
sonage. Of  the  tunes  and  marches  ascribed  to 
him,  some  are  said  to  have  been  inspired  by  the 
Trolls,  one  he  heard  from  the  devil  himself, 
another  he  made  to  save  his  life,  &c.,  &c.  But 
the  most  famous  of  all  is  a Bridal  March  ; and 
its  story  does  not  end  with  the  story  of  his  life. 

Fiddler  Ole  Haugen  was  a poor  cottar  high 
among  the  mountains.  He  had  a daughter, 
Aslaug,  who  had  inherited  his  cleverness. 
Though  she  could  not  play  his  fiddle,  there  was 
music  in  everything  she  did — in  her  talk,  her 
singing,  her  walk,  her  dancing. 

At  the  great  farm  of  Tingvold,  down  in  the 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


valley,  a young  man  had  come  home  from  his 
travels.  He  was  the  third  son  of  the  rich 
peasant  owner,  but  his  two  elder  brothers  had 
been  drowned  in  a flood,  so  the  farm  was  to 
come  to  him.  He  met  Aslaug  at  a wedding  and 
fell  in  love  with  her.  In  those  days  it  was  an 
unheard-of  thing  that  a well-to-do  peasant  of  old 
family  should  court  a girl  of  Aslaug^s  class. 
But  this  young  fellow  had  been  long  away,  and 
he  let  his  parents  know  that  he  had  made 
enough  out  in  the  world  to  live  upon,  and  that 
if  he  could  not  have  what  he  wanted  at  home, 
he  would  let  the  farm  go.  It  was  prophesied 
that  this  indifference  to  the  claims  of  family  and 
property  would  bring  its  own  punishment. 
Some  said  that  Ole  Haugen  had  brought  it 
about,  by  means  only  darkly  hinted  at. 

So  much  is  certain,  that  while  the  conflict 
between  the  young  man  and  his  parents  was 
going  on,  Haugen  was  in  the  best  of  spirits. 
When  the  battle  was  over,  he  said  that  he  had 
already  made  them  a Bridal  March,  one  that 
would  never  go  out  of  the  family  of  Tingvold — 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


but  woe  to  the  girl,  he  added,  whom  it  did  not 
play  to  church  as  happy  a bride  as  the  cottar's 
daughter,  Aslaug  Haugen  ! And  here  again 
people  talked  of  the  influence  of  some  mysterious 
evil  power. 

So  runs  the  story.  It  is  a fact  that  to  this 
day  the  people  of  that  mountain  district  have  a 
peculiar  gift  of  music  and  song,  which  then  must 
have  been  greater  still.  Such  a thing  is  not 
kept  up  without  some  one  caring  for  and  adding 
to  the  original  treasure,  and  Ole  Haugen  was 
the  man  who  did  it  in  his  time. 

Tradition  goes  on  to  tell  that  just  as  Ole 
Haugen's  Bridal  March  was  the  merriest  ever 
heard,  so  the  bridal  pair  that  it  played  to  church, 
that  were  met  by  it  again  as  they  came  from  the 
altar,  and  that  drove  home  with  its  strain  in 
their  ears,  were  the  happiest  couple  that  had 
ever  been  seen.  And  though  the  race  of  Ting- 
void  had  always  been  a handsome  race,  and  after 
this  were  handsomer  than  ever,  it  is  maintained 
that  none,  before  or  after,  could  equal  this 
particular  couple. 


3 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


With  Ole  Haugen  legend  ends,  and  now 
history  begins.  Ole^s  bridal  march  kept  its 
place  in  the  house  of  Tingvold.  It  was  sung, 
and  hummed,  and  whistled,  and  fiddled,  in  the 
house  and  in  the  stable,  in  the  field  and  on  the 
mountain-side.  The  only  child  born  of  the 
marriage,  little  Astrid,  was  rocked  and  sung  to 
sleep  with  it  by  mother,  by  father,  and  by 
servants,  and  it  was  one  of  the  first  things  she 
herself  learned.  There  was  music  in  the  race, 
and  this  bright  little  one  had  her  full  share  of  it, 
and  soon  could  hum  her  parentis  triumphal 
march,  the  talisman  of  her  family,  in  quite  a 
masterly  way. 

It  was  hardly  to  be  wondered  at  that  when 
she  grew  up,  she  too  wished  to  choose  her  lover. 
Many  came  to  woo,  but  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  the  rich  and  gifted  girl  was  still  single. 
The  reason  came  out  at  last.  In  the  house 
lived  a quick-witted  youth,  whom  Aslaug  had 
taken  in  out  of  pity.  He  went  by  the  name  of 
the  tramp  or  gipsy,  though  he  was  neither. 
But  Aslaug  was  ready  enough  to  call  him  so 


4 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


when  she  heard  that  Astrid  and  he  were 

betrothed.  They  had  pledged  faith  to  each 

other  in  all  secrecy  out  on  the  hill  pastures,  and 
had  sung  the  bridal  march  together,  she  on  the 
height,  he  answering  from  below. 

The  lad  was  sent  away  at  once.  No  one 
could  now  show  more  pride  of  race  than  Aslaug, 
the  poor  cottar^s  daughter.  Astrid’s  father 
called  to  mind  what  was  prophesied  when  he 
broke  the  tradition  of  his  family.  Had  it  now 
come  to  a husband  being  taken  in  from  the 

wayside  ? Where  would  it  end  ? And  the 

neighbours  said  much  the  same. 

The  tramp,”  Knut  by  name,  soon  became 
well  known  to  every  one,  as  he  took  to  dealing 
in  cattle  on  his  own  account.  He  was  the  first 
in  that  part  of  the  country  to  do  it  to  any  extent, 
and  his  enterprise  had  begun  to  benefit  the 
whole  district,  raising  prices,  and  bringing  in 
capital.  But  he  was  apt  to  bring  drinking  bouts, 
and  often  fighting,  in  his  train  ; and  this  was  all 
that  people  talked  of  as  yet ; they  had  not  begun 
to  understand  his  capabilities  as  a business  man 


5 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Astrid  was  determined,  and  she  was  twenty- 
three,  and  her  parents  came  to  see  that  either 
the  farm  must  go  out  of  the  family  or  Knut  must 
come  into  it ; through  their  own  marriage  they 
had  lost  the  moral  authority  that  might  have 
stood  them  in  good  stead  now.  So  Astrid  had 
her  way.  One  fine  day  the  handsome,  merry 
Knut  drove  with  her  to  church.  The  strains  of 
the  family  bridal  march,  her  grandfather’s 
masterpiece,  were  wafted  back  over  the  great 
procession,  and  the  two  seemed  to  be  sitting 
humming  it  quietly,  and  very  happy  they  looked. 
And  every  one  wondered  how  the  parents  looked 
so  happy  too,  for  they  had  opposed  the  marriage 
long  and  obstinately. 

After  the  wedding  Knut  took  over  the  farm, 
and  the  old  people  retired  on  their  allowance. 
It  was  such  a liberal  one  that  people  could  not 
understand  how  Knut  and  Astrid  were  able  to 
afford  it ; for  though  the  farm  was  the  largest  in 
the  district,  it  was  not  well-cultivated.  But  this 
was  not  all.  Three  times  the  number  of  work- 
people were  taken  on,  and  everything  was 
6 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Started  in  a new  way,  with  an  outlay  unheard  of 
in  these  parts.  Certain  ruin  was  foretold.  But 
the  tramp  — for  his  nickname  had  stuck  to 
him — was  as  merry  as  ever,  and  seemed  to  have 
infected  Astrid  with  his  humour.  The  quiet, 
gentle  girl  became  the  lively,  buxom  wife.  Her 
parents  were  satisfied.  At  last  people  began  to 
understand  that  Knut  had  brought  to  Tingvold 
what  no  one  had  had"  there  before,  working 
capital ! And  along  with  it  he  had  brought  the 
experience  gained  in  trading,  and  a gift  of 
handling  commodities  and  money,  and  of  keeping 
servants  willing  and  happy. 

In  twelve  years  one  would  hardly  have  known 
Tingvold  again.  House  and  outbuildings  were 
different  ; there  were  three  times  as  many  work- 
people, they  were  three  times  as  well  off,  and 
Knut  himself,  in  his  broadcloth  coat,  sat  in  the 
evenings  and  smoked  his  meerschaum  pipe  and 
drank  his  glass  of  toddy  with  the  Captain  and 
the  Pastor  and  the  Bailiff.  To  Astrid  he  was 
the  cleverest  and  best  man  in  the  world,  and 
she  was  fond  of  telling  how  in  his  young  days 


7 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


he  had  fought  and  drunk  just  to  get  himselr 
talked  about,  and  to  frighten  her  ; for  he  was 
so  cunning ! ” 

She  followed  him  in  everything  except  in 
leaving  off  peasant  dress  and  customs  ; to  these 
she  always  kept.  Knut  did  not  interfere  with 
other  people’s  ways,  so  this  caused  no  trouble 
between  them.  He  lived  with  his  ''set,”  and 
his  wife  saw  to  their  entertainment,  which  was, 
however,  modest  enough,  for  he  was  too  prudent 
a man  to  make  unnecessary  show  or  outlay  of 
any  kind.  Some  said  that  he  gained  more  by 
the  card-playing,  and  by  the  popularity  this 
mode  of  life  won  for  him,  than  all  he  laid  out 
upon  it,  but  this  was  probably  pure  malevo- 
lence. 

They  had  several  children,  but  the  only  one 
whose  history  concerns  us  is  the  eldest  son, 
Endrid,  who  was  to  inherit  the  farm  and  carry 
on  the  honour  of  the  house.  He  had  all  the 
good  looks  of  his  race,  but  not  much  in  the  way 
of  brains,  as  is  often  the  case  with  children  oi 
specially  active-minded  parents.  His  father  soon 
8 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


observed  this,  and  tried  to  make  up  for  it  by 
giving  him  a very  good  education.  A tutor  was 
brought  into  the  house  for  the  children,  and 
when  Endrid  grew  up  he  was  sent  to  one  of  the 
agricultural  training  schools  that  were  now 
beginning  to  flourish  in  Norway,  and  after  that 
to  finish  off  in  town.  . He  came  home  again  a 
quiet  young  fellow,  with  a rather  over-burdened 
brain  and  fewer  town  ways  than  his  father  had 
hoped  for.  But  Endrid  was  a slow-witted 
youth. 

The  Pastor  and  the  Captain,  both  with  large 
families  of  daughters,  had  their  eye  on  him. 
But  if  this  was  the  reason  of  the  increased 
attention  they  paid  to  Knut,  they  made  a great 
mistake ; the  idea  of  a marriage  between  his  son 
and  a poor  pastor^s  or  captain’s  daughter,  with 
no  training  to  fit  her  for  a rich  farmer’s  wife, 
was  so  ridiculous  to  him  that  he  did  not  even 
think  it  necessary  to  warn  Endrid.  And  indeed 
no  warning  was  needed,  for  the  lad  saw  as  well 
as  his  father  that,  though  there  was  no  need  for 
his  bringing  more  wealth  into  the  family  through 


9 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


his  marriage,  it  would  be  of  advantage  if  he 
could  again  connect  it  with  one  of  equal  birth 
and  position.  But,  as  ill-luck  would  have  it,  he 
w^as  but  an  awkward  wooer.  The  worst  of  it 
was  that  he  began  to  get  the  name  of  being  a 
fortune-hunter ; and  when  once  a young  man  gets 
this  reputation,  the  peasants  fight  shy  of  him. 
Endrid  soon  noticed  this  himself ; for  though  he 
was  not  particularly  quick,  to  make  up  for  it  he 
was  very  sensitive.  He  saw  that  it  did  not 
improve  his  position  that  he  was  dressed  like  a 
townsman,  and  ‘‘had  learning,”  as  the  country 
people  said.  The  boy  was  sound  at  heart,  and 
the  result  of  the  slights  he  met  with  was  that  by 
degrees  he  left  off  his  town  dress  and  town 
speech,  and  began  to  work  on  his  father^s  great 
farm  as  a simple  labourer.  His  father  under- 
stood— he  had  begun  to  understand  before  the 
lad  did — and  he  told  his  wife  to  take  no  notice. 
So  they  said  nothing  about  marriage,  nor  about 
the  change  in  Endrid^s  ways ; only  his  father 
was  more  and  more  friendly  to  him,  and  con- 
sulted him  in  everything  connected  with  the 


10 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


farm  and  with  his  other  trade^  and  at  last  gave 
the  management  of  the  farm  altogether  into  his 
hands.  And  of  this  they  never  needed  to 
repent. 

So  the  time  passed  till  Endrid  was  thirty-one. 
He  had  been  steadily  adding  to  his  father^s 
wealth  and  to  his  own  experience  and  indepen- 
dence ; but  had  never  made  the  smallest  attempt 
at  courtship ; had  not  looked  at  a girl,  either  in 
their  own  district  or  elsewhere.  And  now  his 
parents  were  beginning  to  fear  that  he  had  given 
up  thoughts  of  it  altogether.  But  this  was  not 
the  case. 

On  a neighbouring  farm  lived  in  good  circum- 
stances another  well-descended  peasant  family, 
that  had  at  different  times  intermarried  with  the 
race  of  Tingvold.  A girl  was  growing  up  there 
whom  Endrid  had  been  fond  of  since  she  was  a 
little  child  ; no  doubt  he  had  quietly  set  his 
heart  on  her,  for  only  six  months  after  her 
confirmation  he  spoke.  She  was  seventeen  then 
and  he  thirty-one.  Randi,  that  was  the  girl’s 
name,  did  not  know  at  first  what  to  answer; 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


she  consulted  her  parents,  but  they  said  she 
must  decide  for  herself.  He  was  a good  man, 
and  from  a worldly  point  of  view  she  could  not 
make  a better  match,  but  the  difference  in  their 
ages  was  great,  and  she  must  know  herself  if  she 
had  the  courage  to  undertake  the  new  duties  and 
cares  that  would  come  upon  her  as  mistress  of 
the  large  farm.  The  girl  felt  that  her  parents 
would  rather  have  her  say  Yes  than  No,  but  she 
was  really  afraid.  She  went  to  his  mother, 
whom  she  had  always  liked,  and  found  to  her 
surprise  that  she  knew  nothing.  But  the  mother 
was  so  delighted  with  the  idea  that  with  all  her 
might  she  urged  Randi  to  accept  him.  Fll 
help  you,^’  she  said.  Father  will  want  no 
allowance  from  the  farm.  He  has  all  he  needs, 
and  he  doesn’t  wish  his  children  to  be  longing 
for  his  death.  Things  will  be  divided  at  once, 
and  the  little  that  we  keep  to  live  on  will  be 
divided  too  when  we  are  gone.  So  you  see 
there  will  be  no  trouble  with  us.”  Yes,  Randi 
knew  all  along  that  Knut  and  Astrid  were  kind 
and  nice.  ‘‘And  the  boy,”  said  Astrid,  “is  good 


12 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


and  thoughtful  about  everything/^  Yes,  Randi 
had  felt  that  too  ; she  was  not  afraid  but  that 
she  would  get  on  with  him — if  she  were  only 
capable  enough  herself! 

A few  days  later  everything  was  settled. 
Endrid  was  happy,  and  so  were  his  parents  ; 
for  this  was  a much  respected  family  that  he  was 
marrying  into,  and  the  girl  was  both  nice-looking 
and  clever  ; there  was  not  a better  match  for 
him  in  the  district.  The  parents  on  both  sides 
consulted  together,  and  settled  that  the  wedding 
should  be  just  before  harvest,  as  there  was 
nothing  to  wait  for. 

The  neighbourhood  generally  did  not  look  on 
the  engagement  in  the  same  light  as  the  parties 
concerned.  It  was  said  that  the  pretty  young 
girl  had  sold  herself.”  She  was  so  young 
that  she  hardly  knew  what  marriage  was,  and 
the  sly  Knut  had  pushed  forward  his  son  before 
any  other  lovers  had  the  chance.  Something  of 
this  came  to  Randies  ears,  but  Endrid  was  so 
loving  to  her,  and  in  such  a quiet,  almost  humble 
way,  that  she  would  not  break  oflf  with  him  ; 
13 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 

only  it  made  her  a little  cool.  Both  his  and  her 
parents  heard  what  was  said,  but  took  no  notice. 

Perhaps  just  because  of  this  talk  they 
determined  to  hold  the  wedding  in  great  style, 
and  this,  for  the  same  reason,  was  not  unac- 
ceptable to  Randi.  Knut^s  friends,  the  Pastor, 
the  Captain,  and  the  Bailiff,  with  their  large 
families,  were  to  be  among  the  guests,  and  some 
of  them  were  to  accompany  the  pair  to  church. 
On  their  account  Knut  wanted  to  dispense  with 
the  fiddlers  — it  was  too  old-fashioned  and 
peasant-like.  But  Astrid  insisted  that  they 
must  be  played  to  church  and  home  again  with 
the  Bridal  March  of  her  race.  It  had  made  her 
and  her  husband  so  happy  ; they  could  not  but 
wish  to  hear  it  again  on  their  dear  children's  great 
festival  day.  There  was  not  much  sentiment 
about  Knut  ; but  he  let  his  wife  have  her  way. 
The  bride’s  parents  got  a hint  that  they  might 
engage  the  fiddlers,  who  were  asked  to  play  the 
old  March,  the  family  Bridal  March,  that  had 
lain  quiet  now  for  a time,  because  this  generation 
had  worked  without  song. 


14 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


But  alas ! on  the  wedding  day  the  rain 
poured  hard.  The  players  had  to  wrap  up  their 
fiddles  as  soon  as  they  had  played  the  bridal 
party  away  from  the  farm,  and  they  did  not  take 
them  out  again  till  they  came  within  .sound  of 
the  church-bells.  Then  a boy  had  to  stand  up 
at  the  back  of  the  cart  and  hold  an  umbrella 
over  them,  and  below  it  they  sat  huddled 
together  and  sawed  away.  The  March  did  not 
sound  like  itself  in  such  weather,  naturally 
enough,  nor  was  it  a very  merry-looking  bridal 
procession  that  followed.  The  bridegroom  sat 
with  the  high  bridegroom^s  hat  between  his  legs 
and  a sou’- wester  on  his  head  ; he  had  on  a great 
fur  coat,  and  he  held  an  umbrella  over  the  bride, 
who,  with  one  shawl  on  the  top  of  another,  to 
protect  the  bridal  crown  and  the  rest  of  her 
finery,  looked  more  like  a wet  hayrick  than  a 
human  being.  On  they  came,  carriage  after 
carriage,  the  men  dripping,  the  women  hidden 
away  under  their  wrappings.  It  looked  like  a 
sort  of  bewitched  procession,  in  which  one  could 
not  recognise  a single  face ; for  there  was  not  a 
15 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


face  to  be  seen,  nothing  but  huddled-up  heaps  of 
wool  or  fur.  A laugh  broke  out  among  the 
specially  large  crowd  gathered  at  the  church  on 
account  of  the  great  wedding.  At  first  it  was 
stifled,  but  it  grew  louder  with  each  carriage 
that  drove  up.  At  the  large  house  where  the 
procession  was  to  alight  and  the  dresses  were  to 
be  arranged  a little  for  going  into  church,  a hay- 
cart  had  been  drawn  out  of  the  way,  into  the 
corner  formed  by  the  porch.  Mounted  on  it 
stood  a pedlar,  a joking  fellow,  Aslak  by  name. 
Just  as  the  bride  was  lifted  down  he  called : 

Devil  take  me  if  Ole  Haugen^s  Bridal  March  is 
any  good  to-day  ! ” 

He  said  no  more,  but  that  was  plenty.  The 
crowd  laughed,  and  though  many  of  them  tried 
not  to  let  it  be  seen  that  they  were  laughing,  it 
was  clearly  felt  what  all  were  thinking  and 
trying  to  hide. 

When  they  took  off  the  bride^s  shawls  they 
saw  that  she  was  as  white  as  a sheet.  She 
began  to  cry,  tried  to  laugh,  cried  again — and 
then  all  at  once  the  feeling  came  over  her  that 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


she  could  not  go  into  the  church.  Amidst  great 
excitement  she  was  laid  on  a bed  in  a quiet 
room,  for  such  a violent  fit  of  crying  had  seized 
her  that  they  were  much  alarmed.  Her  good 
parents  stood  beside  the  bed,  and  when  she 
begged  them  to  let  her  go  back,  they  said  that 
she  might  do  just  as  she  liked.  Then  her  eyes 
fell  on  Endrid.  Any  one  so  utterly  miserable 
and  helpless  she  had  never  seen  before ; and 
beside  him  stood  his  mother,  silent  and 
motionless,  with  the  tears  running  down  her 
face  and  her  eyes  fixed  on  Randies.  Then 
Randi  raised  herself  on  her  elbow  and  looked 
straight  in  front  of  her  for  a little,  still  sobbing 
after  the  fit  of  crying.  ^‘No,  no,!”  she  said, 
Tm  going  to  church,”  Once  more  she  lay 
back  and  cried  for  a little,  and  then  she  got  up. 
She  said  that  she  would  have  no  more  music,  so 
the  fiddlers  were  dismissed — and  the  story  did 
not  lose  in  their  telling  when  they  got  among  the 
crowd. 

It  was  a mournful  bridal  procession  that  now 
moved  on  towards  the  church.  The  rain  allowed 
17  B 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


of  the  bride  and  bridegroom  hiding  their  faces 
from  the  curiosity  of  the  onlookers  till  they  got 
inside ; but  they  felt  that  they  were  running  the 
gauntlet,  and  they  felt  too  that  their  own  friends 
were  annoyed  at  being  laughed  at  as  part  of  such 
a foolish  procession. 

The  grave  of  the  famous  fiddler,  Ole  Haugen, 
lay  close  by  the  church-door.  Without  saying 
much  about  it,  the  family  had  always  tended  it, 
and  a new  head-board  had  been  put  up  when  the 
old  one  had  rotted  away  below.  The  upper  part 
of  it  was  in  the  shape  of  a wheel,  as  Ole  himself 
had  desired.  The  grave  was  in  a sunny  spot, 
and  was  thickly  overgrown  with  wild  flowers. 
Every  churchgoer  that  had  ever  stood  by  it  had 
heard  from  some  one  or  other  how  a botanist  in 
government  pay,  making  a collection  of  the 
plants  and  flowers  of  the  valley  and  the  moun- 
tains round  about,  had  found  flowers  on  that 
grave  that  did  not  grow  anywhere  else  in  the 
neighbourhood.  And  the  peasants,  who  as  a rule 
cared  litttle  about  what  they  called  weeds,^' 
took  pride  in  these  particular  ones— a pride 

i8 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


mixed  with  curiosity  and  even  awe.  Some  of 
the  flowers  were  remarkably  beautiful.  But  as 
the  bridal  pair  passed  the  grave,  Endrid,  who 
was  holding  Randfs  hand,  felt  that  she  shivered  ; 
immediately  she  began  to  cry  again,  walked 
crying  into  the  church,  and  was  led  crying  to  her 
place.  No  bride  within  the  memory  of  man  had 
made  such  an  entrance  into  that  church. 

She  felt  as  she  sat  there  that  all  this  was 
helping  to  confirm  the  report  that  she  had  been 
sold.  The  thought  of  the  shame  she  was  bring- 
ing on  her  parents  made  her  turn  cold,  and  for  a 
little  she  was  able  to  stop  crying.  But  at  the 
altar  she  was  moved  again  by  some  word  of  the 
priest^s,  and  immediately  the  thought  of  all 
she  had  gone  through  that  day  came  over  her ; 
and  for  the  moment  she  had  the  feeling  that 
never,  no,  never  again,  could  she  look  people  in 
the  face,  and  least  of  all  her  own  father  and 
mother. 

Things  got  no  better  as  the  day  went  on. 
She  was  not  able  to  sit  with  the  guests  at  the 
dinner-table ; in  the  evening  she  was  half 


19 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


coaxed,  half  forced  to  appear  at  supper,  but  she 
spoiled  every  one’s  pleasure,  and  had  to  be  taken 
away  to  bed.  The  wedding  festivities,  that  were 
to  have  gone  on  for  several  days,  ended  that 
evening.  It  was  given  out  that  the  bride  was 
ill. 

Though  neither  those  who  said  this  nor  those 
who  heard  it  believed  it,  it  was  only  too  true. 
She  was  really  ill,  and  she  did  not  soon  recover. 
One  consequence  of  this  was  that  their  first  child 
was  sickly.  The  parents  were  not  the  less 
devoted  to  it  from  understanding  that  they  them- 
selves were  to  a certain  extent  the  cause  of  its 
suffering.  They  never  left  that  child.  They 
never  went  to  church,  for  they  had  got  shy 
of  people.  For  two  years  God  gave  them  the 
joy  of  the  child,  and  then  He  took  it  from 
them. 

The  first  thought  that  struck  them  after  this 
blow  was  that  they  had  been  too  fond  of  their 
child.  That  was  why  they  had  lost  it.  So, 
when  another  came,  it  seemed  as  if  neither 
of  them  dared  to  show  their  love  for  it.  But 


20 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


this  little  one,  though  it  too  was  sickly  at  first, 
grew  stronger,  and  was  so  sweet  and  bright  that 
they  could  not  restrain  their  feelings.  A new, 
pure  happiness  had  come  to  them  ; they  could 
almost  forget  all  that  had  happened.  When  this 
child  was  two  years  old,  God  took  it  too. 

Some  people  seem  to  be  chosen  out  by  sorrow. 
They  are  the  very  people  that  seem  to  us  to  need 
it  least,  but  at  the  same  time  they  are  those  that 
are  best  fitted  to  bear  trials  and  yet  to  keep 
their  faith.  These  two  had  early  sought  God 
together ; after  this  they  lived  as  it  were  in  His 
presence.  The  life  at  Tingvold  had  long  been  a 
quiet  one ; now  the  house  was  like  a church 
before  the  priest  comes  in.  The  work  went  on 
perfectly  steadily,  but  at  intervals  during  the  day 
Endrid  and  Randi  worshipped  together,  com- 
muning with  those  ‘‘on  the  other  side.”  It 
made  no  change  in  their  habits  that  Randi,  soon 
after  their  last  loss,  had  a little  daughter.  The 
children  that  were  dead  were  boys,  and  this 
made  them  not  care  so  much  for  a girl.  Besides, 
they  did  not  know  if  they  were  to  be  allowed  to 


21 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


keep  her.  But  the  health  and  happiness  that  the 
mother  had  enjoyed  up  to  the  time  of  the  death 
of  the  last  little  boy,  had  benefited  this  child, 
who  soon  showed  herself  to  be  a bright  little 
girl,  with  her  mother^s  pretty  face.  The  two 
lonely  people  again  felt  the  temptation  to  be 
hopeful  and  happy  in  their  child  ; but  the  fate- 
ful two  3"ears  were  not  over,  and  they  dared  not. 
As  the  time  drew  near,  they  felt  as  if  they  had 
only  been  allowed  a respite. 

Knut  and  Astrid  kept  a good  deal  to  them- 
selves. The  way  in  which  the  young  people 
had  taken  things  did  not  allow  of  much  sympathy 
or  consolation  being  offered  them.  Besides, 
Knut  was  too  lively  and  worldly-minded  to  sit 
long  in  a house  of  mourning  or  to  be  always 
coming  in  upon  a prayer  meeting.  He  moved  to 
a small  farm  that  he  had  bought  and  let,  but  now 
took  back  into  his  own  hands.  There  he  ar- 
ranged everything  so  comfortably  and  nicely  for 
his  dear  Astrid,  that  people  whose  intention  it  was 
to  go  to  Tingvold,  rather  stayed  and  laughed  with 
him  than  went  on  to  cry  with  his  children. 


22 


THE  BRIDAL  MAR'CH 

One  day  when  Astrid  was  in  her  daughter-in- 
law^s  house,  she  noticed  how  little  Mildrid  went 
about  quite  alone  ; it  seemed  as  if  her  mother 
hardly  dared  to  touch  her.  When  the  father 
came  in,  she  saw  the  same  mournful  sort  of 
reserve  towards  his  own,  only  child.  She  con- 
cealed her  thoughts,  but  when  she  got  home 
to  her  own  dear  Knut,  she  told  him  how  things 
stood  at  Tingvold,  and  added  : Our  place 

is  there  now.  Little  Mildrid  needs  some  one 
that  dares  to  love  her ; pretty,  sweet  little  child 
that  she  is  ! Knut  was  infected  by  her  eager- 
ness, and  the  two  old  people  packed  up  and 
went  home. 

Mildrid  was  now  much  with  her  grandparents, 
and  they  taught  her  parents  to  love  her.  When 
she  was  five  years  old  her  mother  had  another 
daughter,  who  was  called  Beret ; and  after  this 
Mildrid  lived  almost  altogether  with  the  old 
people.  The  anxious  parents  began  once  more 
to  feel  as  if  there  might  yet  be  pleasure  for  them 
in  life,  and  a change  in  the  popular  feeling 
towards  them  helped  them. 

23 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


After  the  loss  of  the  second  child,  though 
there  were  often  the  traces  of  tears  on  their 
faces,  no  one  had  ever  seen  them  weep — their 
grief  was  silent.  There  was  no  changing  of 
servants  at  Tingvold,  that  was  one  result  of  the 
peaceful,  God-fearing  life  there ; nothing  but 
praise  of  master  and  mistress  was  ever  heard. 
They  themselves  knew  this,  and  it  gave  them  a 
feeling  of  comfort  and  security.  Relations  and 
friends  began  to  visit  them  again  ; and  went  on 
doing  so,  even  though  the  Tingvold  people  made 
no  return. 

But  they  had  not  been  at  church  since  their 
wedding-day  ! They  partook  of  the  Communion 
at  home,  and  held  worship  there.  But  when  the 
second  girl  was  born,  they  were  so  desirous  to 
be  her  godparents  themselves  that  they  made  up 
their  minds  to  venture.  They  stood  together  at 
their  children’s  graves ; they  passed  Ole  Haugen’s 
without  word  or  movement ; the  whole  congrega- 
tion showed  them  respect.  But  they  continued 
to  keep  themselves  very  much  to  themselves,  and 
a pious  peace  rested  over  their  house. 


24 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


One  day  in  her  grandmother’s  house  little 
Mildrid  was  heard  singing  the  Bridal  March. 
Old  Astrid  stopped  her  work  in  a fright,  and 
asked  her  where  in  the  world  she  had  learned 
that.  The  child  answered  : From  you,  grand- 
mother.” Knut,  who  was  sitting  in  the  house, 
laughed  heartily,  for  he  knew  that  Astrid  had  a 
habit  of  humming  it  when  she  sat  at  work.  But 
they  both  said  to  little  Mildrid  that  she  must 
never  sing  it  when  her  parents  were  within 
hearing.  Like  a child,  she  asked  Why  ? ” 
But  to  this  question  she  got  no  answer.  One 
evening  she  heard  the  new  herd-boy  singing  it 
as  he  was  cutting  wood.  She  told  her  grand- 
mother, who  had  heard  it  too.  All  grandmother 
said  was  : **  He’ll  not  grow  old  here  ! ” — and  sure 
enough  he  had  to  go  next  day.  No  reason  was 
given  ; he  got  his  wages  and  was  sent  about  his 
business.  Mildrid  was  so  excited  about  this, 
that  grandmother  had  to  try  to  tell  her  the  story 
of  the  Bridal  March.  The  little  eight  year  old 
girl  understood  it  well  enough,  and  what  she  did 
not  understand  then  became  clear  to  her  later. 

25 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


It  had  an  influence  on  her  child-life,  and  especially 
on  her  conduct  towards  her  parents,  that  nothing 
else  had  or  could  have  had. 

She  had  always  noticed  that  they  liked  quiet- 
ness. It  was  no  hardship  to  her  to  please  them 
in  this ; they  were  so  gentle,  and  talked  so  much 
and  so  sweetly  to  her  of  the  children’s  great 
Friend  in  heaven,  that  it  cast  a sort  of  charm 
over  the  whole  house.  The  story  of  the  Bridal 
March  affected  her  deeply,  and  gave  her  an 
understanding  of  all  that  they  had  gone  through. 
She  carefully  avoided  recalling  to  them  any  pain- 
ful memories,  and  showed  them  the  tenderest 
affection,  sharing  with  them  their  love  of  God, 
their  truthfulness,  their  quietness,  their  industry. 
And  she  taught  Beret  to  do  the  same. 

In  their  grandfather’s  house  the  life  that  had 
to  be  suppressed  at  home  got  leave  to  expand. 
Here  there  was  singing  and  dancing  and  play 
and  story-telling.  So  the  sisters’  young  days 
passed  between  devotion  to  their  melancholy 
parents  in  the  quiet  house,  and  the  glad  life  they 

were  allowed  to  take  part  in  at  their  grandfather’s. 

26 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


The  families  lived  in  perfect  understanding.  It 
was  the  parents  who  told  them  to  go  to  the  old 
people  and  enjoy  themselves,  and  the  old  people 
who  told  them  to  go  back  again,  ^^and  be  sure 
to  be  good  girls.^^ 

When  a girl  between  the  age  of  twelve  and 
sixteen  takes  a sister  between  seven  and  eleven 
into  her  full  confidence,  the  confidence  is  re- 
warded by  great  devotion.  But  the  little  one  is 
apt  to  become  too  old  for  her  years.  This 
happened  with  Beret,  while  Mildrid  only  gained 
by  being  forbearing  and  kind  and  sympathetic — 
and  she  made  her  parents  and  grandparents 
happy. 

There  is  no  more  to  tell  till  Mildrid  was  in 
her  fifteenth  year;  then  old  Knut  died,  suddenly 
and  easily.  There  seemed  almost  no  time 
between  the  day  when  he  sat  joking  in  the 
chimney-corner  and  the  day  when  he  lay  in  his 
coffin. 

After  this,  grandmother’s  greatest  pleasure 
was  to  have  Mildrid  sitting  on  a stool  at  her 
feet,  as  she  had  done  ever  since  she  was  a little 


27 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


child,  and  to  tell  her  stories  about  Knut,  or  else 
to  get  her  to  hum  the  Bridal  March.  As  Astrid 
sat  listening  to  it,  she  saw  Knut^s  handsome  dark 
head  as  she  used  to  see  it  in  her  young  days ; 
she  followed  him  out  to  the  mountain-side, 
where  he  blew  the  March  on  his  herd-boy’s 
horn,  she  drove  to  church  by  his  side — all  his 
brightness  and  cleverness  lived  again  for  her ! 

But  in  Mildrid’s  soul  a new  feeling  began  to 
stir.  Whilst  she  sat  and  sang  for  grandmother,  she 
asked  herself : Will  it  ever  be  played  for  me  ?” 
The  thought  grew  upon  her,  the  March  spoke  to 
her  of  such  radiant  happiness.  She  saw  a 
bride’s  crown  glittering  in  its  sunshine,  and 
a long,  bright  future  beyond  that.  Sixteen — 
and  she  asked  herself : Shall  I,  shall  I ever 
have  some  one  sitting  beside  me,  with  the 
Bridal  March  shining  in  his  eyes  ? Only 
think,  if  father  and  mother  were  one  day  to 
drive  with  me  in  such  a procession,  with  the 
people  greeting  us  on  every  side,  on  to  the 
house  where  mother  was  jeered  at  that  day, 
past  Ole  Haugen’s  flower-covered  grave,  up  to 

28 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


the  altar,  in  a glory  of  happiness ! Think  what 
it  would  be  if  I could  give  father  and  mother 
that  consolation  ! ” And  the  child^s  heart  swelled, 
imagining  all  this  to  herself,  swelled  with  pride 
and  with  devotion  to  those  dear  parents  who 
had  suffered  so  much. 

These  were  the  first  thoughts  that  she  did 
not  confide  to  Beret.  Soon  there  were  more. 
Beret,  who  was  now  eleven,  noticed  that  she 
was  left  more  to  herself,  but  did  not  understand 
that  she  was  being  gradually  shut  out  from 
Mildrid’s  confidence,  till  she  saw  another  taken 
into  her  place.  This  was  Inga,  from  the 
neighbouring  farm,  a girl  of  eighteen,  their 
own  cousin,  newly  betrothed.  When  Mildrid 
and  Inga  walked  about  in  the  fields,  whispering 
and  laughing,  with  their  arms  round  each  other, 
as  girls  love  to  go,  poor  Beret  would  throw 
herself  down  and  cry  with  jealousy. 

The  time  came  on  for  Mildrid  to  be  con- 
firmed ; she  made  acquaintance  with  other 
young  people  of  her  own  age,  and  some  of 
them  began  to  come  up  to  Tingvold  on  Sundays. 


29 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Mildrid  saw  them  either  out  of  doors  or  in  her 
grandmother’s  room.  Tingvold  had  always  been 
a forbidden,  and  consequently  mysteriously  at- 
tractive place  to  the  young  people.  But  even 
now,  only  those  with  a certain  quietness  and 
seriousness  of  disposition  went  there,  for  it 
could  not  be  denied  that  there  was  something 
subdued  about  Mildrid,  that  did  not  attract  every 
one. 

At  this  particular  time  there  was  a great  deal 
of  music  and  singing  among  the  youth  of  the 
district.  For  some  reason  or  other  there  are 
such  periods,  and  these  periods  have  their 
leaders.  One  of  the  leaders  now  was,  curiously 
enough,  again  of  the  race  of  Haugen. 

Amongst  a people  where  once  on  a time,  even 
though  it  were  hundreds  of  years  ago,  almost 
every  man  and  woman  sought  and  found  expres- 
sion for  their  intensest  feelings  and  experiences 
in  song,  and  were  able  themselves  to  make  the 

verses  that  gave  them  relief — amongst  such  a 
/ 

people  the  art  can  never  quite  die  out.  Here 
and  there,  even  though  it  does  not  make  itself 


30 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


heard,  it  must  exist,  ready  on  occasion  to  be 
awakened  to  new  life.  But  in  this  district  songs 
had  been  made  and  sung  from  time  immemorial. 
It  was  by  no  mere  chance  that  Ole  Haugen  was 
born  here,  and  here  became  what  he  was. 
Now  it  was  his  grandson  in  whom  the  gift 
had  reappeared. 

Ole^s  son  had  been  so  much  younger  than 
the  daughter  who  had  married  into  the  Tingvold 
family,  that  the  latter,  already  a married  woman, 
had  stood  godmother  to  her  little  brother.  After 
a life  full  of  changes,  this  son,  as  an  old  man, 
had  come  into  possession  of  his  father’s  home 
and  little  bit  of  land  far  up  on  the  mountain- 
side ; and,  strangely  enough,  not  till  then  did  he 
marry.  He  had  several  children,  among  them  a 
boy  called  Hans,  who  seemed  to  have  inherited 
his  grandfather’s  gifts — not  exactly  in  the  way 
of  fiddle-playing,  though  he  did  play — but  he 
sang  the  old  songs  beautifully  and  made  new 
ones  himself.  People’s  appreciation  of  his  songs 
was  not  a little  added  to  by  the  fact  that  so  few 
knew  himself;  there  were  not  many  that  had 


31 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


even  seen  him.  His  old  father  had  been  a 
hunter,  and  while  the  boys  were  quite  small,  the 
old  man  took  them  out  to  the  hillside  and 
taught  them  to  load  and  aim  a gun.  They 
always  remembered  how  pleased  he  was  when 
they  were  able  to  earn  enough  with  their  shoot- 
ing to  pay  for  their  own  powder  and  shot.  He 
did  not  live  long  after  this,  and  soon  after  his 
death  their  mother  died  too,  and  the  children 
were  left  to  take  care  of  themselves,  which  they 
managed  to  do.  The  boys  hunted  and  the  girls 
looked  after  the  little  hill  farm.  People  turned 
to  look  at  them  when  they  once  in  a way  showed 
themselves  in  the  valley  ; they  were  so  seldom 
there.  It  was  a long,  bad  road  down.  In  winter 
they  occasionally  came  to  sell  or  send  off  the 
produce  of  their  hunting ; in  summer  they  were 
busy  with  the  strangers.  Their  little  holding 
was  the  highest  lying  in  the  district,  and  it  ^ 
became  famed  for  having  that  pure  mountain  air 
which  cures  people  suffering  from  their  lungs  or 
nerves,  better  than  any  yet  discovered  medicine ; 
every  year  they  had  as  many  summer  visitors, 


32 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


from  town,  and  even  from  abroad,  as  they  could 
accommodate.  They  added  several  rooms  to  their 
house,  and  still  it  was  always  full.  So  these 
brothers  and  sisters,  from  being  poor,  very 
poor,  came  to  be  quite  well-to-do.  Intercourse 
with  so  many  strangers  had  made  them  a little 
different  from  the  other  country  people — they 
even  knew  something  of  foreign  languages. 
Hans  was  now  twenty-seven.  Some  years 
before  he  had  bought  up  his  brothers’  and 
sisters’  shares,  so  that  the  whole  place  belonged 
to  him. 

Not  one  of  the  family  had  ever  set  foot  in  the 
house  of  their  relations  at  Tingvold.  Endrid 
and  Randi  Tingvold,  though  they  had  doubtless 
never  put  the  feeling  into  words,  could  just  as 
little  bear  to  hear  the  name  of  Haugen  as  to 
hear  the  Bridal  March.  These  children’s  poor 
^ father  had  been  made  to  feel  this,  and  in  con- 
sequence, Hans  had  forbidden  his  brothers  and 
sisters  ever  to  go  to  the  house.  But  the  girls  at 
Tingvold,  who  loved  music,  longed  to  make 
acquaintance  with  Hans,  and  when  they  and  their 


33 


c 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


girl  friends  were  together,  they  talked  more 
about  the  family  at  Haugen  than  about  anything 
else.  Hans’s  songs  and  tunes  were  sung  and 
danced  to,  and  they  were  for  ever  planning  how 
they  could  manage  to  meet  the  young  farmer  of 
Haugen. 

After  this  happy  time  of  young  companionship 
came  Mildrid’s  confirmation.  Just  before  it 
there  was  a quiet  pause,  and  after  it  came 
another.  Mildrid,  now  about  seventeen,  spent 
the  autumn  almost  alone  with  her  parents.  In 
spring,  or  rather  summer,  she  was,  like  all  the 
other  girls  after  their  confirmation,  to  go  to  the 
soeter  in  charge  of  cattle.  She  was  delighted  at 
the  thought  of  this,  especially  as  her  friend  Inga 
was  to  be  at  the  next  soeter. 

At  last  her  longing  for  the  time  to  come  grew 
so  strong  that  she  had  no  peace  at  home,  and 
Beret,  who  was  to  accompany  her,  grew  restless 
too.  When  they  got  settled  in  the  soeter  Beret 
was  quite  absorbed  in  the  new,  strange  life, 
but  Mildrid  was  still  restless.  She  had  her 
busy  times  with  the  cattle  and  the  milk,  but 
34 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


there  were  long  idle  hours  that  she  did  not 
know  how  to  dispose  of.  Some  days  she  spent 
them  with  Inga,  listening  to  her  stories  of  her 
lover,  but  often  she  had  no  inclination  to  go 
there.  She  was  glad  when  Inga  came  to  her, 
and  affectionate,  as  if  she  wanted  to  make  up  for 
her  faithlessness.  She  seldom  talked  to  Beret, 
and  often  when  Beret  talked  to  her,  answered 
nothing  but  Yes  or  No.  When  Inga  came,  Beret 
took  herself  off,  and  when  Mildrid  went  to  see 
Inga,  Beret  went  crying  away  after  the  cows, 
and  had  the  herd-boys  for  company.  Mildrid 
felt  that  there  was  something  wrong  in  all 
this,  but  with  the  best  will  she  could  not  set  it 
right. 

She  was  sitting  one  day  near  the  soeter, 
herding  the  goats  and  sheep,  because  one  of  the 
herd-boys  had  played  truant  and  she  had  to  do 
his  work.  It  was  a warm  midday  ; she  was 
sitting  in  the  shade  of  a hillock  overgrown  with 
birch  and  underwood  ; she  had  thrown  off  her 
jacket  and  taken  her  knitting  in  her  hand,  and 
was  expecting  Inga.  Something  rustled  behind 


35 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


her.  ‘‘  There  she  comes/'  thought  Mildrid,  and 
looked  up. 

But  there  was  more  noise  than  Inga  was 
likely  to  make,  and  such  a breaking  and  cracking 
among  the  bushes.  Mildrid  turned  pale,  got  up, 
and  saw  something  hairy  and  a pair  of  eyes 
below  it — it  must  be  a bear's  head ! She 
wanted  to  scream,  but  no  voice  would  come  ; 
she  wanted  to  run,  but  could  not  stir.  The 
thing  raised  itself  up — it  was  a tall,  broad- 
shouldered  man  with  a fur  cap,  a gun  in  his 
hand.  He  stopped  short  among  the  bushes  and 
looked  at  her  sharply  for  a second  or  two,  then 
took  a step  forward,  a jump,  and  stood  in  the 
field  beside  her.  Something  moved  at  her  feet, 
and  she  gave  a little  cry ; it  was  his  dog,  that 
she  had  not  seen  before. 

**  Oh,  dear  ! " she  said  ; I thought  it  was  a 
bear  breaking  through  the  bushes,  and  I got 
such  a fright ! " And  she  tried  to  laugh. 

Well,  it  might  almost  have  been  that,"  said 
he,  speaking  in  a very  quiet  voice;  Kvas  and  I 
were  on  the  track  of  a bear  ; but  now  we  have 
36 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


lost  it;  and  if  I have  a ‘Vardoger/*  it  is 
certainly  a bear.” 

He  smiled.  She  looked  at  him.  Who  can 
he  be  ? Tall,  broad-shouldered,  wiry  ; his  eyes 
restless,  so  that  she  could  not  see  them  rightly  ; 
besides,  she  was  standing  quite  close  to  him,  just 
where  he  had  suddenly  appeared  before  her  with 
his  dog  and  his  gun. 

She  felt  the  inclination  to  say,  Go  away  ! ” 
but  instead  she  drew  back  a few  steps,  and 
asked  : **  Who  are  you  ? ” She  was  really 
frightened. 

^‘Hans  Haugen,”  answered  the  man  rather 
absently  ; for  he  was  paying  attention  to  the 
dog,  which  seemed  to  have  found  the  track  of 
the  bear  again.  He  was  just  going  to  add. 

Good-bye ! ” but  when  he  looked  at  her 
she  was  blushing;  cheeks,  neck,  and  bosom 
crimson. 

What^s  the  matter  ? ” said  he,  astonished. 

* The  old  superstition  that  every  man  is  followed  by  a 
“ Vardoger  ” (an  invisible  animal,  resembling  him  in  charac- 
ter) is  still  common  among  the  peasants. 

37 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


She  did  not  know  what  to  do  or  where  to  go, 
whether  to  run  away  or  to  sit  down. 

Who  are  you  ? asked  Hans  in  his  turn. 

Once  again  she  turned  crimson,  for  to  tell  him 
her  name  was  to  tell  him  everything. 

Who  are  you  ? he  repeated,  as  if  it  were 
the  most  natural  question  in  the  world,  and  de- 
served an  answer. 

And  she  could  not  refuse  the  answer,  though 
she  felt  ashamed  of  herself,  and  ashamed  of  her 
parents,  who  had  neglected  their  own  kindred. 
The  name  had  to  be  said.  Mildrid  Tingvold,^* 
she  whispered,  and  burst  into  tears. 

It  was  true  enough ; the  Tingvold  people  had 
given  him  little  reason  to  care  for  them.  Of  his 
own  free  will  he  would  scarcely  have  spoken  to 
one  of  them.  But  he  had  never  foreseen  any- 
thing like  this,  and  he  looked  at  the  girl  in 
amazement.  He  seemed  to  remember  some 
story  of  her  mother  having  cried  like  that  in 
church  on  her  wedding-day.  Perhaps  it^s  in 
the  family,^^  he  thought,  and  turned  to  go. 

Forgive  me  for  having  frightened  you,^^  he 
38 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


said,  and  took  his  way  up  the  hillside  after  his 
dog. 

By  the  time  she  ventured  to  look  up  he  had 
just  reached  the  top  of  the  ridge,  and  there  he 
turned  to  look  at  her.  It  was  only  for  an 
instant,  for  at  that  moment  the  dog  barked  on 
the  other  side.  Hans  gave  a start,  held  his  gun 
in  readiness,  and  hurried  on.  Mildrid  was  still 
gazing  at  the  place  where  he  had  stood,  when  a 
shot  startled  her.  Could  that  be  the  bear? 
Could  it  have  been  so  near  her  ? 

Off  she  went,  climbing  where  he  had  just 
climbed,  till  she  stood  where  he  had  stood, 
shading  her  eyes  with  her  hand,  and — sure 
enough,  there  he  was,  half  hidden  by  a bush,  on 
his  knees  beside  a huge  bear  ! Before  she  knew 
what  she  was  doing,  she  was  down  beside  him. 
He  gave  her  a smile  of  welcome,  and  explained 
to  her,  in  his  low  voice,  how  it  had  happened 
that  they  had  lost  the  track  and  the  dog  had  not 
scented  the  animal  till  they  were  almost  upon 
it.  By  this  time  she  had  forgotten  her  tears 
and  her  bashfulness,  and  he  had  drawn  his  knife 


39 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


to  skin  the  bear  on  the  spot.  The  flesh  was  of 
no  value  at  this  time ; he  meant  to  bury  the 
carcass  and  take  only  the  skin.  So  she  held, 
and  he  skinned  ; then  she  ran  down  to  the  soeter 
for  an  axe  and  a spade  ; and  although  she  still 
felt  afraid  of  the  bear,  and  it  had  a bad  smell, 
she  kept  on  helping  him  till  all  was  finished.  By 
this  time  it  was  long  past  twelve  o^clock,  and  he 
invited  himself  to  dinner  at  the  soeter.  He 
washed  himself  and  the  skin,  no  small  piece  of 
work,  and  then  came  in  and  sat  beside  her  while 
she  finished  preparing  the  food. 

He  chatted  about  one  thing  and  another,  easily 
and  pleasantly,  in  the  low  voice  that  seems  to 
become  natural  to  people  who  are  much  alone. 
Mildrid  gave  the  shortest  answers  possible,  and 
when  it  came  to  sitting  opposite  him  at  the  table, 
she  could  neither  speak  nor  eat,  and  there  was 
often  silence  between  them.  When  she  had 
finished  he  turned  round  his  chair  and  filled  and 
lit  his  pipe.  He  too  was  quieter  now,  and  pre- 
sently he  got  up.  I must  be  going,^^  he  said, 
holding  out  his  hand,  it’s  a long  way  home 


40 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


from  here/'  Then  added,  in  a still  lower  voice : 
**  Do  you  sit  every  day  where  you  were  to-day  ? " 
He  held  her  hand  for  a moment,  expecting  an 
answer ; but  she  dared  not  look  up,  much  less 
speak.  Then  she  felt  him  press  her  hand  quickly. 

Good-bye,  then,  and  thank  you  ! " he  said  in  a 
louder  tone,  and  before  she  could  collect  herself, 
she  saw  him,  with  the  bearskin  over  his  shoulder, 
the  gun  in  his  hand,  and  the  dog  at  his  side, 
striding  away  over  the  heather.  There  was  a 
dip  in  the  hills  just  there,  and  she  saw  him  clear 
against  the  sky ; his  light,  firm  step  taking  him 
quickly  away.  She  watched  till  he  was  out  of 
sight,  then  came  outside  and  sat  down,  still  look- 
ing in  the  same  direction. 

Not  till  now  was  she  aware  that  her  heart 
was  beating  so  violently  that  she  had  to  press 
her  hands  over  it.  In  a minute  or  two  she  lay 
down  on  the  grass,  leaning  her  head  on  her 
arm,  and  began  to  go  carefully  over  every  event 
of  the  day.  She  saw  him  start  up  among  the 
bushes  and  stand  before  her,  strong  and  active, 
looking  restlessly  round.  She  felt  over  again 
41 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


the  bewilderment  and  the  fright,  and  her  tears 
of  shame.  She  saw  him  against  the  sun,  on  the 
height ; she  heard  the  shot,  and  was  again  on 
her  knees  before  him,  helping  him  with  the 
skinning  of  the  bear.  She  heard  once  more 
every  word  that  he  said,  in  that  low  voice  that 
sounded  so  friendly,  and  that  touched  her  heart 
as  she  thought  of  it  ; she  listened  to  it  as  he 
sat  beside  the  hearth  while  she  was  cooking, 
and  then  at  table  with  her.  She  felt  that  she 
had  no  longer  dared  to  look  into  his  face,  so 
that  at  last  she  had  made  him  feel  awkward 
too ; for  he  had  grown  silent.  Then  she  heard 
him  speak  once  again,  as  he  took  her  hand  ; and 
she  felt  his  clasp — felt  it  still,  through  her 
whole  body.  She  saw  him  go  away  over  the 
heather — away,  away  ! 

Would  he  ever  come  back  ? Impossible,  after 
the  way  she  had  behaved.  How  strong,  and  brave, 
and  self-reliant  was  everything  she  had  seen  of 
him,  and  how  stupid  and  miserable  all  that  he 
had  seen  of  her,  from  her  first  scream  of  fright 
when  the  dog  touched  her,  to  her  blush  of 


42 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


shame  and  her  tears ; from  the  clumsy  help  she 
gave  him,  to  her  slowness  in  preparing  the  food. 
And  to  think  that  when  he  looked  at  her  she 
was  not  able  to  speak  ; not  even  to  say  No, 
when  he  asked  her  if  she  sat  under  the  hill 
every  day — for  she  didn't  sit  there  every  day ! 
Might  not  her  silence  then  have  seemed  like  an 
invitation  to  him  to  come  and  see  ? Might  not 
her  whole  miserable  helplessness  have  been 
misunderstood  in  the  same  way?  What  shame 
she  felt  now ! She  was  hot  all  over  with  it, 
and  she  buried  her  burning  face  deeper  and 
deeper  in  the  grass.  Then  she  called  up  the 
whole  picture  once  more ; all  his  excellences  and 
her  shortcomings ; and  again  the  shame  of  it  all 
overwhelmed  her. 

She  was  still  lying  there  when  the  sound  of 
the  bells  told  her  that  the  cattle  were  coming 
home  ; then  she  jumped  up  and  began  to  work. 
Beret  saw  as  soon  as  she  came  that  something 
had  happened.  Mildrid  asked  such  stupid  ques- 
tions and  gave  such  absurd  answers,  and 
altogether  behaved  in  such  an  extraordinary 
43 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


way,  that  she  several  times  just  stopped  and 
stared  at  her.  When  it  came  to  supper-time, 
and  Mildrid,  instead  of  taking  her  place  at  the 
table,  went  and  sat  down  outside,  saying  that 
she  had  just  had  dinner.  Beret  was  as  intensely 
on  the  alert  as  a dog  who  scents  game  at  hand. 
She  took  her  supper  and  went  to  bed.  The 
sisters  slept  in  the  same  bed,  and,  as  Mildrid 
did  not  come.  Beret  got  up  softly  once  or  twice 
to  look  if  her  sister  were  still  sitting  out  there, 
and  if  she  were  alone.  Yes,  she  was  there,  and 
alone. 

Eleven  o’clock,  and  then  twelve,  and  then 
one,  and  still  Mildrid  sat  and  Beret  waked. 
She  pretended  to  be  asleep  when  Mildrid  came 
at  last,  and  Mildrid  moved  softly,  so  softly;  but 
her  sister  heard  her  sobbing,  and  when  she  had 
got  into  bed  she  heard  her  say  her  usual 
evening  prayer  so  sadly,  heard  her  whisper : 
“ O God,  help  me,  help  me  ! ” It  made  Beret  so 
unhappy  that  she  could  not  get  to  sleep  even  now. 
She  felt  her  sister  restlessly  changing  from  one 
position  to  another ; she  saw  her  at  last  giving 
44 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


it  Up,  throwing  aside  the  covering,  and  lying 
open-eyed,  with  her  hands  below  her  head, 
staring  into  vacancy.  She  saw  and  heard  no 
more,  for  at  last  she  fell  asleep. 

When  she  awoke  next  morning  Mildrid^s 
place  was  empty.  Beret  jumped  up ; the  sun 
was  high  in  the  sky ; the  cattle  were  away  long 
ago.  She  found  her  breakfast  set  ready,  took  it 
hurriedly,  and  went  out  and  saw  Mildred  at 
work,  but  looking  ill.  Beret  said  that  she  was 
going  to  hurry  after  the  cattle.  Mildrid  said 
nothing  in  answer,  but  gave  her  a glance  as 
though  of  thanks.  The  younger  girl  stood  a 
minute  thinking,  and  then  went  off, 

Mildrid  looked  round  ; yes,  she  was  alone. 
She  hastily  put  away  the  dishes,  leaving  every- 
thing else  as  it  was.  Then  she  washed  herself 
and  changed  her  dress,  took  her  knitting,  and 
set  off  up  the  hill. 

She  had  not  the  new  strength  of  the  new 
day,  for  she  had  hardly  slept  or  eaten  any- 
thing for  twenty- four  hours.  She  walked  in 
a dream,  and  knew  nothing  clearly  till  she 


45 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


was  at  the  place  where  she  had  sat  yester- 
day. 

Hardly  had  she  seated  herself  when  she 
thought : “ If  he  were  to  come  and  find  me 

here,  he  would  believe ” She  started  up 

mechanically.  There  was  his  dog  on  the  hill- 
side. It  stood  still  and  looked  at  her,  then 
rushed  down  to  her,  wagging  its  tail.  Her 
heart  stopped  beating.  There — there  he  stood, 
with  his  gun  gleaming  in  the  sun,  just  as  he  had 
stood  yesterday.  To-day  he  had  come  another 
way.  He  smiled  to  her,  ran  down,  and  stood 
before  her.  She  had  given  a little  scream  and 
sunk  down  on  the  grass  again.  It  was  more 
than  she  could  do  to  stand  up  ; she  let  her 
knitting  drop,  and  put  her  hands  up  to  her  face. 
He  did  not  say  a word.  He  lay  down  on  the 
grass  in  front  of  her,  and  looked  up  at  her,  the 
dog  at  his  side  with  its  eyes  fixed  on  him. 
She  felt  that  though  she  was  turning  her  head 
away,  he  could  see  her  hot  blush,  her  eyes,  her 
whole  face.  She  heard  him  breathing  quickly ; 
she  thought  she  felt  his  breath  on  her  hand. 

46 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


She  did  not  want  him  to  speak,  and  yet  his 
silence  was  dreadful.  She  knew  that  he  must 
understand  why  she  was  sitting  there ; and 
greater  shame  than  this  no  one  had  ever  felt. 
But  it  was  not  right  of  him,  either,  to  have  come, 
and  still  worse  of  him  to  be  lying  there. 

Then  she  felt  him  take  one  of  her  hands  and 
hold  it  tight,  then  the  other,  so  that  she  had  to 
turn  a little  that  way ; he  drew  her  gently,  but 
strongly  and  firmly  towards  him  with  eye  and 
hand,  till  she  was  at  his  side,  her  head  fallen  on 
his  shoulder.  She  felt  him  stroke  her  hair  with 
one  hand,  but  she  dared  not  look  up.  Presently 
she  broke  into  passionate  weeping  at  the  thought 
of  her  shameful  behaviour. 

‘‘ Yes,  you  may  cry,”  said  he,  ^‘but  I will 
laugh ; what  has  happened  to  us  two  is  matter 
both  for  laughter  and  for  tears.” 

His  voice  shook.  And  now  he  bent  over  her 
and  whispered  that  the  farther  away  he  went 
from  her  yesterday  the  nearer  he  seemed  to  be 
to  her.  The  feeling  overmastered  him  so,  that 
when  he  reached  his  little  shooting  cabin,  where 


47 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


he  had  a German  officer  with  him  this  summer, 
recruiting  after  the  war,  he  left  the  guest  to  take 
care  of  himself,  and  wandered  farther  up  the 
mountain.  He  spent  the  night  on  the  heights, 
sometimes  sitting,  sometimes  wandering  about. 
He  went  home  to  breakfast,  but  away  again 
immediately.  He  was  twenty-eight  now,  no 
longer  a boy,  and  he  felt  that  either  this  girl 
must  be  his  or  it  would  go  badly  with  him.  He 
wandered  to  the  place  where  they  had  met 
yesterday ; he  did  not  expect  that  she  would 
be  there  again  ; but  when  he  saw  her,  he 
felt  that  he  must  make  the  venture ; and  when 
he  came  to  see  that  she  was  feeling  just  as  he 

was — “Why,  then” and  he  raised  her  head 

gently.  And  she  had  stopped  crying,  and  his  eyes 
shone  so  that  she  had  to  look  into  them,  and  then 
she  turned  red  and  put  her  head  down  again. 

He  went  on  talking  in  his  low,  half-whisper- 
ing voice.  The  sun  shone  through  the  tree- 
tops,  the  birches  trembled  in  the  breeze,  the 
birds  mingled  their  song  with  the  sound  of  a 
little  stream  rippling  over  its  stony  bed. 

48 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


How  long  the  two  sat  there  together,  neither 
of  them  knew.  At  last  the  dog  startled  them. 
He  had  made  several  excursions,  and  each  time 
had  come  back  and  lain  down  beside  them 
again  ; but  now  he  ran  barking  down  the  hill. 
They  both  jumped  up  and  stood  for  a minute 
listening.  But  nothing  appeared.  Then  they 
looked  at  each  other  again,  and  Hans  lifted  her 
up  in  his  arms.  She  had  not  been  lifted  like 
this  since  she  was  a child,  and  there  was 
something  about  it  that  made  her  feel  help- 
less. When  he  looked  up  beaming  into  her 
face,  she  bent  and  put  her  arms  round  his 
neck — he  was  now  her  strength,  her  future, 
her  happiness,  her  life  itself — she  resisted  no 
longer. 

Nothing  was  said.  He  held  her  tight ; she 
clung  to  him.  He  carried  her  to  the  place 
where  she  had  sat  at  first,  and  sat  down  there 
with  her  on  his  knee.  She  did  not  unloose  her 
arms,  she  only  bent  her  head  close  down  to  his 
so  as  to  hide  her  face  from  him.  He  was  just 
going  to  force  her  to  let  him  look  into  it,  when 
49 


D 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


some  one  right  in  front  of  them  called  in  a voice 
of  astonishment : Mildrid  ! 

It  was  Inga,  who  had  come  up  after  the  dog. 
Mildrid  sprang  to  her  feet,  looked  at  her  friend 
for  an  instant,  then  went  up  to  her,  put  one 
arm  round  her  neck,  and  laid  her  head  on  her 
shoulder.  Inga  put  her  arm  round  Mildrid^s 
waist.  Who  is  he  ? ” she  whispered,  and 

Mildrid  felt  her  tremble,  but  said  nothing. 
Inga  knew  who  he  was — knew  him  quite  well 
— but  could  not  believe  her  own  eyes.  Then 
Hans  came  slowly  forward.  I thought  you 
knew  me,^’  he  said  quietly ; am  Hans 

Haugen.’^  When  she  heard  his  voice,  Mildrid 
lifted  her  head.  How  good  and  true  he  looked 
as  he  stood  there  ! He  held  out  his  hand  ; she 
went  forward  and  took  it,  and  looked  at  her 
friend  with  a flush  of  mingled  shame  and  joy. 

Then  Hans  took  his  gun  and  said  good-bye, 
whispering  to  Mildrid : You  may  be  sure  1*11 
come  soon  again  ! ” 

The  girls  walked  with  him  as  far  as  the 
soeter,  and  watched  him,  as  Mildrid  had  done 

50 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


yesterday,  striding  away  over  the  heather  in  the 
sunlight.  They  stood  as  long  as  they  could  see 
him  ; Mildrid,  who  was  leaning  on  Inga,  would 
not  let  her  go  ; Inga  felt  that  she  did  not  want 
her  to  move  or  speak.  From  time  to  time 
one  or  the  other  whispered : He's  looking 

back ! " When  he  was  out  of  sight  Mildrid 
turned  round  to  Inga  and  said:  Don't  ask 
me  anything.  I can't  tell  you  about  it ! " She 
held  her  tight  for  a second,  and  then  they 
walked  towards  the  soeter-house.  Mildrid  re- 
membered now  how  she  had  left  all  her  work 
undone.  Inga  helped  her  with  it.  They  spoke 
very  little,  and  only  about  the  work.  Just  once 
Mildrid  stopped,  and  whispered : **  Isn't  he 
handsome  ? " 

She  set  out  some  dinner,  but  could  eat  little 
herself,  though  she  felt  the  need  both  of  food 
and  sleep.  Inga  left  as  soon  as  she  could,  for 
she  saw  that  Mildrid  would  rather  be  alone. 
Then  Mildrid  lay  down  on  her  bed.  She  was 
lying,  half  asleep  already,  thinking  over  the  . 
events  of  the  morning,  and  trying  to  remember 
51 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


the  nicest  things  that  Hans  had  said,  when  it 
suddenly  occurred  to  her  to  ask  herself  what 
she  had  answered.  Then  it  flashed  upon  her 
that  during  their  whole  meeting  she  had  not 
spoken,  not  said  a single  word  ! 

She  sat  up  in  bed  and  said  to  herself : “ He 
could  not  have  gone  far  till  this  must  have 
struck  him  too — and  what  can  he  have  thought  ? 
He  must  take  me  for  a creature  without  a will, 
going  about  in  a dream.  How  can  he  go  on 
caring  for  me?  Yesterday  it  was  not  till  he  had 
gone  away  from  me  that  he  found  out  he  cared 
for  me  at  all — what  will  he  find  out  to-day  ? ” 
she  asked  herself  with  a shiver  of  dread.  She 
got  up,  went  out,  and  sat  down  where  she  had 
sat  so  long  yesterday. 

All  her  life  Mildrid  had  been  accustomed  to 
take  herself  to  account  for  her  behaviour ; cir- 
cumstances had  obliged  her  to  walk  carefully. 
Now,  thinking  over  what  had  happened  these 
last  two  days,  it  struck  her  forcibly  that  she  had 
behaved  without  tact,  without  thought,  almost 
without  modesty.  She  had  never  read  or  heard 
52 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


about  anything  happening  like  this ; she  looked 
at  it  from  the  peasant’s  point  of  view,  and  none 
take  these  matters  more  strictly  than  they.  It 
is  seemly  to  control  one’s  feelings — it  is  honour- 
able to  be  slow  to  show  them.  She,  who  had 
done  this  all  her  life,  and  consequently  been 
respected  by  every  one,  had  in  one  day  given 
herself  to  a man  she  had  never  seen  before ! 
Why,  he  himself  must  be  the  first  to  despise 
her ! It  showed  how  bad  things  were,  that  she 
dared  not  tell  what  had  happened,  not  even  to 
Inga ! 

With  the  first  sound  of  the  cow-bells  in  the 
distance  came  Beret,  to  find  her  sister  sitting  on 
the  bench  in  front  of  the  sceter-house,  looking 
half  dead.  Beret  stood  in  front  of  her  till  she 
was  forced  to  raise  her  head  and  look  at  her. 
Mildrid’s  eyes  were  red  with  crying,  and  her 
whole  expression  was  one  of  suffering.  But  it 
changed  to  surprise  when  she  saw  Beret’s  face, 
which  was  scarlet  with  excitement. 

“Whatever  is  the  matter  with  you?”  she 
exclaimed. 


53 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


‘‘  Nothing  ! ” answered  Beret,  standing  staring 
fixedly  at  Mildrid,  who  at  last  looked  away,  and 
got  up  to  go  and  attend  to  the  cows. 

The  sisters  did  not  meet  again  till  supper, 
when  they  sat  opposite  to  each  other.  Mildrid 
was  not  able  to  eat  more  then  a few  mouthfuls. 
She  sat  and  looked  absently  at  the  others, 
oftene^  at  Beret,  who  ate  on  steadily,  gulping 
down  her  food  like  a hungry  dog. 

Have  you  had  nothing  to  eat  to-day  ? ’’ 
asked  Mildrid. 

^‘No  answered  Beret,  and  ate  on. 

Presently  Mildrid  spoke  again  : Have  you 
not  been  with  the  herds  then  ? ” 

No  ! answered  her  sister  and  both  of  the 
boys.  Before  them  Mildrid  would  not  ask  more, 
and  afterwards  her  own  morbid  reflections  took 
possession  of  her  again,  and  along  with  them 
the  feeling  that  she  was  no  fit  person  to  be  in 
charge  of  Beret.  This  was  one  more  added  to 
the  reproaches  she  made  to  herself  all  that  long 
summer  evening  and  far  into  the  night. 

There  she  sat,  on  the  bench  by  the  door,  till 
54 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


the  blood-red  clouds  changed  gradually  to  cold 
grey,  no  peace  and  no  desire  for  sleep  coming  to 
her.  The  poor  child  had  never  before  been  in 
real  distress.  Oh,  how  she  prayed ! She 
stopped  and  she  began  again ; she  repeated 
prayers  that  she  had  learned,  and  she  made  up 
petitions  of  her  own.  At  last,  utterly  exhausted, 
she  went  to  bed. 

There  she  tried  once  more  to  collect  her 
thoughts  for  a final  struggle  with  the  terrible 
question.  Should  she  give  him  up  or  not  ? But 
she  had  no  strength  left ; she  could  only  say 
over  and  over  again : Help  me,  O God ! help 
me ! She  went  on  like  this  for  a long  time, 
sometimes  saying  it  in  to  herself,  sometimes  out 
loud.  All  at  once  she  got  such  a fright  that 
she  gave  a loud  scream.  Beret  was  kneeling  up 
in  bed  looking  at  her;  her  sparkling  eyes,  hot 
face,  and  short  breathing  showing  a terrible  state 
of  excitement. 

**  Who  is  he  ? she  whispered,  almost  threat- 
eningly. 

Mildrid,  crushed  by  her  self-torture,  and  worn 


55 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


out  in  soul  and  body,  could  not  answer;  she 
began  to  cry. 

“ Who  is  he  ? ” repeated  the  other,  closer  to 
her  face ; “ you  needn’t  try  to  hide  it  any 
longer ; I was  watching  you  to-day  the  whole 
time ! ” 

Mildrid  held  up  her  arms  as  if  to  defend 
herself,  but  Beret  beat  them  back,  looked  straight 
into  her  eyes,  and  again  repeated,  “Who  is  he, 
I say  ? ” 

“ Beret,  Beret  ! ” moaned  Mildrid ; “ have  I 
ever  been  anything  but  kind  to  you  since  you 
were  a little  child.  Why  are  you  so  cruel  to 
me  now  that  I am  in  trouble  ? ” 

Then  Beret,  moved  by  her  tears,  let  go  her 
arms ; but  her  short  hard  breathing  still  be- 
trayed her  excitement.  “ Is  it  Hans  Haugen  ? ” 
she  whispered. 

There  was  a moment  of  breathless  suspense, 

and  then  Mildrid  whispered  back  : “ Yes  ”■ 

and  began  to  cry  again. 

Beret  drew  down  her  arms  once  more ; she 
wanted  to  see  her  face.  “ Why  did  you  not 
56 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


tell  me  about  it,  Mildrid  ? she  asked,  with 
the  same  fierce  eagerness. 

**  Beret,  I didn’t  know  it  myself.  I never  saw 
him  till  yesterday.  And  as  soon  as  I saw  him 
I loved  him,  and  let  him  see  it,  and  that  is  w^hat 
is  making  me  so  unhappy,  so  unhappy  that  I 
feel  as  if  I must  die  of  it ! ” 

You  never  saw  him  before  yesterday  ? ” 
screamed  Beret,  so  astonished  that  she  could 
hardly  believe  it. 

‘‘  Never  in  my  life  ! ” replied  Mildrid.  Isn’t 
it  shameful,  Beret  ? ” 

But  Beret  threw  her  arms  round  her  sister’s 
neck,  and  kissed  her  over  and  over  again. 

''Dear,  sweet  Mildrid,  I’m  so  glad!”  she 
whispered,  now  radiant  with  joy.  I’m  so  glad, 
so  glad  ! ” and  she  kissed  her  once  more.  '^And 
you’ll  see  how  I can  keep  a secret,  Mildrid  ! ” 
She  hugged  her  to  her  breast,  but  sat  up  again, 
and  said  sorrowfully : And  you  thought  I 
couldn’t  do  it ; O Mildrid  ! not  even  when  it 
was  about  you  ! ” 

And  now  it  was  Beret’s  turn  to  cry.  **  Why 


57 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


have  you  put  me  away  ? Why  have  you  taken 
Inga  instead  of  me  ? You’ve  made  me  so  dread- 
fully unhappy,  Mildrid  ! O Mildrid,  you  don’t 
know  how  I love  you ! ” and  she  clung  to  her. 
Then  Mildrid  kissed  her,  and  told  her  that  she 
had  done  it  without  thinking  what  she  was 
doing,  but  that  now  she  would  never  again  put 
her  aside,  and  would  tell  her  everything,  because 
she  was  so  good  and  true  and  faithful. 

The  sisters  lay  for  a little  with  their  arms 
round  each  other ; then  Beret  sat  up  again  ; she 
wanted  to  look  into  her  sister’s  face  in  the  light 
of  the  summer  night,  that  was  gradually  taking 
a tinge  of  red  from  the  coming  dawn.  Then 
she  burst  out  with  : Mildrid,  how  handsome  he 
is  ! How  did  he  come  ? How  did  you  see  him 
first  ? What  did  he  say  ? Do  tell  me  about  it ! ” 

And  Mildrid  now  poured  out  to  her  sister  all 
that  a few  hours  ago  it  had  seemed  to  her  she 
could  never  tell  to  anybody.  She  was  some- 
times interrupted  by  Beret’s  throwing  her  arms 
round  her  and  hugging  her,  but  she  went  on 
again  with  all  the  more  pleasure.  It  seemed  to 
58 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


her  like  a strange  legend  of  the  woods.  They 
laughed  and  they  cried.  Sleep  had  gone  from 
them  both.  The  sun  found  them  still  entraneed 
by  this  wonderful  tale — Mildrid  lying  down  or 
resting  on  one  elbow  and  talking,  Beret  kneeling 
beside  her,  her  mouth  half  open,  her  eyes  spark- 
ling, from  time  to  time  giving  a little  cry  of 
delight. 

They  got  up  together  and  did  their  work 
together,  and  when  they  had  finished,  and  for 
the  sake  of  appearances  taken  a little  breakfast, 
they  prepared  for  the  meeting  with  Hans.  He 
was  sure  to  come  soon  ! They  dressed  them- 
selves out  in  their  best,  and  went  up  to  Mildrid^s 
place  on  the  hill.  Beret  showed  where  she  had 
Iain  hidden  yesterday.  The  dog  had  found  her 
out,  she  said,  and  paid  her  several  visits.  The 
weather  was  fine  to-day  too,  though  there  were 
some  clouds  in  the  sky.  The  girls  found  plenty 
to  say  to  each  other,  till  it  was  about  the  time 
when  Hans  might  be  expected.  Beret  ran  once 
or  twice  up  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  to  see  if  he 
were  in  sight,  but  there  was  no  sign  of  him. 

59 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Then  they  began  to  grow  impatient,  and  at  last 
Mildrid  got  so  excited  that  Beret  was  frightened. 
She  tried  to  soothe  her  by  reminding  her  that 
Hans  was  not  his  own  master ; that  he  had  left 
the  German  gentleman  two  whole  days  to  fish 
and  shoot  alone,  and  prepare  food  for  himself ; 
and  that  he  would  hardly  dare  to  leave  him  a 
third.  And  Mildrid  acknowledged  that  this 
might  be  so. 

“ What  do  you  think  father  and  mother  will 
say  to  all  this  ? ” asked  Beret,  just  to  divert 
Mildrid’s  thoughts.  She  repented  the  moment 
the  words  were  uttered.  Mildrid  turned  pale 
and  stared  at  Beret,  who  stared  back  at  her. 
Beret  wondered  if  her  sister  had  never  thought 
of  this  till  now,  and  said  so.  Yes ; she  had 
thought  of  it,  but  as  of  something  very  far  off. 
The  fear  of  what  Hans  Haugen  might  think  of 
her,  the  shame  of  her  own  weakness  and 
stupidity,  had  so  occupied  her  mind  that  they 
had  left  no  room  for  anything  else.  But  now 
things  suddenly  changed  round,  and  she  could 
think  of  nothing  but  her  parents. 

6o 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Beret  again  tried  to  comfort  her.  Whenever 
father  and  mother  saw  Hans,  they  would  feel 
that  Mildrid  was  right — they  would  never  make 
her  unhappy  who  had  given  them  their  greatest 
happiness.  Grandmother  would  help  her.  No 
one  could  say  a word  against  Hans  Haugen,  and 
he  would  never  give  her  up  ! Mildrid  heard  all 
this,  but  did  not  take  it  in,  for  she  was  thinking 
of  something  else,  and  to  get  time  to  think  it  out 
rightly,  she  asked  Beret  to  go  and  prepare  the 
dinner.  And  Beret  walked  slowly  away,  look- 
ing back  several  times. 

Mildrid  wanted  to  be  left  alone  a little  to 
make  up  her  mind  whether  she  should  go  at 
once  and  tell  her  parents.  It  seemed  a terrible 
matter  to  her  in  her  excited,  exhausted  state. 
She  felt  now  that  it  would  be  a sin  if  she  saw 
Hans  again  without  their  knowledge.  She  had 
done  very  wrong  in  engaging  herself  to  him 
without  having  their  consent ; but  she  had  been 
in  a manner  surprised  into  that ; it  had  come 
about  almost  without  her  will.  Her  duty  now, 
though,  was  clearly  to  go  and  tell  them. 

6i 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


She  rose  to  her  feet,  with  a new  light  in 
her  eyes.  She  would  do  what  was  right. 
Before  Hans  stood  there  again,  her  parents 
should  know  all.  That’s  it ! ” she  said,  aloud, 
as  if  some  one  were  there,  and  then  hurried 
down  to  the  soeter  to  tell  Beret.  But  Beret 
was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  Beret ! Beret ! ” 
shouted  Mildrid,  but  only  the  echoes  gave 
answer.  Excited  Mildrid  was  already,  but 
now  she  got  frightened  too.  Beret’s  great 
eyes,  as  she  asked : What  do  you  think 
father  and  mother  will  say  to  this  ? ” seemed 
to  grow  ever  greater  and  more  threatening. 
Surely  she  could  never  have  gone  off  to  tell 
them  ? Yet  it  would  be  just  like  her  hasty 
way  to  think  she  would  settle  the  thing  at 
once,  and  bring  comfort  to  her  sister.  To  be 
sure  that  was  it ! And  if  Beret  reached  home 
before  her,  father  and  mother  would  get  a wrong 
idea  of  everything ! 

Off  Mildrid  went,  down  the  road  that  led  to 
the  valley.  She  walked  unconsciously  faster 
and  faster,  carried  away  by  ever-increasing 
62 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


excitement ; till  her  head  began  to  turn  and 
her  breathing  to  get  oppressed.  She  had  to 
sit  down  for  a rest.  Sitting  did  not  seem  to 
help  her,  so  she  stretched  herself  out,  resting 
her  head  on  her  arm,  and  lay  there,  feeling 
forsaken,  helpless,  almost  betrayed — -by  affection 
it  was  true — but  still  betrayed. 

In  a few  moments  she  was  asleep ! For  two 
days  and  nights  she  had  hardly  slept  or  eaten  ; 
and  she  had  no  idea  of  the  effect  this  had  had 
on  her  mind  and  body — the  child  who  till  now 
had  eaten  and  slept  so  regularly  and  peacefully 
in  her  quiet  home.  How  was  it  possible  that 
she  could  understand  anything  at  all  of  what 
had  happened  to  her  ? All  that  she  had  been 
able  to  give  to  her  affectionate  but  melancholy 
parents  out  of  her  heart’s  rich  store  of  love,  was 
a kind  of  watchful  care  ; in  her  grandmother’s 
brighter  home  longings  for  something  more  had 
often  come  over  her,  but  there  was  nothing  even 
there  to  satisfy  them.  So  now  when  love’s  full 
spring  burst  upon  her,  she  stood  amidst  its 
rain  of  blossoms  frightened  and  ashamed. 

63 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Tormented  by  her  innocent  conscience,  the 
poor  tired  child  had  run  a race  with  herself 
till  she  fell — now  she  slept,  caressed  by  the 
pure  mountain  breeze. 

Beret  had  not  gone  home,  but  away  to  fetch 
Hans  Haugen.  She  had  far  to  go,  and  most 
of  the  way  was  unknown  to  her.  It  went 
first  by  the  edge  of  a wood,  and  then  higher 
over  bare  flats,  not  quite  safe  from  wild  animals, 
which  she  knew  had  been  seen  there  lately. 
But  she  went  on,  for  Hans  really  must  come. 
If  he  did  not,  she  was  sure  things  would  go 
badly  with  Mildrid ; she  seemed  so  changed 
to-day. 

In  spite  of  her  anxiety  about  Mildrid,  Beret’s 
heart  was  light,  and  she  stepped  merrily  on,  her 
thoughts  running  all  the  time  on  this  wonderful 
adventure.  She  could  think  of  no  one  better 
or  grander  than  Hans  Haugen,  and  none  but 
the  very  best  was  good  enough  for  Mildrid. 
There  was  nothing  whatever  to  be  surprised 
at  in  Mildrid’s  giving  herself  up  to  him  at  once  ; 
just  as  little  as  in  his  at  once  falling  in  love 
64 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


with  her.  If  father  and  mother  could  not  be 
brought  to  understand  this,  they  must  just  be 
left  to  do  as  they  chose,  and  the  two  must  fight 
their  own  battle  as  her  great-grandparents  had 
done,  and  her  grandparents  too — and  she  began 
to  sing  the  old  Bridal  March.  Its  joyful  tones 
sounded  far  over  the  bare  heights  and  seemed 
to  die  away  among  the  clouds. 

When  she  got  right  on  the  top  of  the 
hill  she  was  crossing,  she  stood  and  shouted 
‘^Hurrah!”  From  here  she  could  see  only  the 
last  strip  of  cultivated  land  on  the  farther  side 
of  their  valley ; and  on  this  side  the  upper 
margin  of  the  forest,  above  it  stretches  of 
heather,  and  where  she  stood,  nothing  but 
boulders  and  flat  rocks.  She  flew  from  stone 
to  stone  in  the  light  air.  She  knew  that  Hans’s 
hut  lay  in  the  direction  of  the  snow  mountain 
whose  top  stood  out  above  all  the  others,  and 
presently  she  thought  that  she  must  be  getting 
near  it.  To  get  a better  look  around  she 
climbed  up  on  to  an  enormous  stone,  and  from 
the  top  of  it  she  saw  a mountain  lake  just  below. 

65  E 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Whether  it  was  a rock  or  a hut  she  saw  by  the 
water’s  edge  she  could  not  be  sure ; one  minute 
it  looked  like  a hut,  the  next  like  a big  stone. 
But  she  knew  that  his  cabin  lay  by  a mountain 
lake.  Yes,  that  must  be  it,  for  there  came  a 
boat  rowing  round  the  point.  Two  men  were 
in  the  boat— they  must  be  Hans  and  the  German 
officer.  Down  she  jumped  and  off  again.  But 
what  had  looked  so  near  was  really  far  off, 
and  she  ran  and  ran,  excited  by  the  thought 
of  meeting  Hans  Haugen. 

Hans  sat  quietly  in  his  boat  with  the  German, 
ignorant  of  all  the  disturbance  he  had  caused. 
He  had  never  known  what  it  was  to  be  fright- 
ened ; nor  had  he  ever  till  now  known  the  feel- 
ing of  being  in  love.  As  soon  as  he  did  feel  it, 
it  was  intolerable  to  him  until  he  had  settled  the 
matter.  Now  it  was  settled,  and  he  was  sitting 
there  setting  words  to  the  Bridal  March  ! 

He  was  not  much  of  a poet,  but  he  made  out 
something  about  their  ride  to  church,  and  the 
refrain  of  every  verse  told  of  their  meeting  in 
the  wood.  He  whistled  and  fished  and  felt  very 
66 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


happy;  and  the  German  fished  away  quietly 
and  left  him  in  peace. 

A halloo  sounded  from  the  shore,  and  both  he 
and  the  bearded  German  looked  up  and  saw  a 
girl  waving.  They  exchanged  a few  words  and 
rowed  ashore.  Hans  jumped  out  and  tied  up 
the  boat,  and  they  lifted  out  the  guns,  coats, 
fish,  and  fishing  tackle ; the  German  went  away 
towards  the  cabin,  but  Hans  with  his  load 
came  up  to  Beret,  who  was  standing  on  a stone 
a little  way  off. 

Who  are  you  ? he  asked  gently. 

Beret,  Mildrid^s  sister,’^  she  answered, 
blushing,  and  he  blushed  too.  But  the  next 
moment  he  turned  pale. 

Is  there  anything  the  matter  ? ” 

No ! just  that  you  must  come.  She  can’t 
bear  to  be  left  alone  just  now.” 

He  stood  a minute  and  looked  at  her,  then 
turned  and  went  towards  the  hut.  The  German 
was  standing  outside,  hanging  up  his  fishing 
tackle ; Hans  hung  up  his,  and  they  spoke 
together,  and  then  went  in.  Ever  since  Beret’s 
67 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


halloo,  two  dogs,  shut  up  in  the  cabin,  had  been 
barking  with  all  their  might.  When  the  men 
opened  the  door  they  burst  out,  but  were  at 
once  sternly  called  back.  It  was  some  time 
before  Hans  came  out  again.  He  had  changed 
his  clothes,  and  had  his  gun  and  dog  with  him. 
The  German  gentleman  came  to  the  door,  and 
they  shook  hands  as  if  saying  good-bye  for  a 
considerable  time.  Hans  came  up  quickly  to 
Beret. 

“ Can  you  walk  fast  ? ” he  asked. 

“Of  course  I can.” 

And  off  they  went,  she  running,  the  dog  far 
ahead. 

Beret’s  message  had  entirely  changed  the 
current  of  Hans’s  thoughts.  It  had  never 
occurred  to  him  before  that  Mildrid  might  not 
have  the  same  happy,  sure  feeling  about  their 
engagement  that  he  had.  But  now  he  saw  how 
natural  it  was  that  she  should  be  uneasy  about 
her  parents ; and  how  natural,  too,  that  she 
should  feel  alarmed  by  the  hurried  rush  in  which 
everything  had  come  about.  He  understood  it 
68 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


SO  well  now  that  he  was  perfectly  astonished  at 
himself  for  not  having  thought  of  it  before — and 
on  he  strode. 

Even  on  him  the  suddenness  of  the  meeting 
with  Mildrid,  and  the  violence  of  their  feelings, 
had  at  first  made  a strange  impression  ; what 
must  she,  a child,  knowing  nothing  but  the  quiet 
reserve  of  her  parents^  house,  have  felt,  thus 
launched  suddenly  on  the  stormy  sea  of  passion  ! 
— and  on  he  strode. 

While  he  was  marching  along,  lost  in  these 
reflections.  Beret  was  trotting  at  his  side,  always, 
when  she  could,  with  her  face  turned  towards 
his.  Now  and  then  he  had  caught  a glimpse  of 
her  big  eyes  and  flaming  cheeks ; but  his 
thoughts  were  like  a veil  over  his  sight ; he  saw 
her  indistinctly,  and  then  suddenly  not  at  all. 
He  turned  round  ; she  was  a good  way  behind, 
toiling  after  him  as  hard  as  she  could.  She 
had  been  too  proud  to  say  that  she  could  not 
keep  up  with  him  any  longer.  He  stood  and 
waited  till  she  made  up  to  him,  breathless,  with 
tears  in  her  eyes.  Ah  ! Pm  walking  too  fast,*^ 
69 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


and  he  held  out  his  hand.  She  was  pant- 
ing so  that  she  could  not  answer.  “ Let  us  sit 
down  a little,”  he  said,  drawing  her  to  him ; 
“ come  ! ” and  he  made  her  sit  close  to  him.  If 
possible  she  got  redder  than  before,  and  did  not 
look  at  him ; and  she  drew  breath  so  painfully 
that  it  seemed  as  if  she  were  almost  choking. 
“I’m  so  thirsty!”  was  the  first  thing  she  managed 
to  say.  They  rose  and  he  looked  round,  but 
there  was  no  stream  near.  “ We  must  wait  till  we 
get  a little  farther  on,”  he  said ; “ and  anyhow 
it  wouldn’t  be  good  for  you  to  drink  just  now.” 

So  they  sat  down  again,  she  on  a stone  in 
front  of  him. 

“ I ran  the  whole  way,”  she  said,  as  if  to 
excuse  herself — and  presently  added,  “and  I 
have  had  no  dinner,”  and  after  another  pause 
— “ and  I didn’t  sleep  last  night.” 

Instead  of  expressing  any  sympathy  with  her, 
he  asked  sharply:  “Then  I suppose  Mildrid 
did  not  sleep  last  night  either  ? And  she  has 
not  eaten,  I saw  that  myself,  not  for  ” — he 
thought  a little — “ not  for  ever  so  long.” 

70 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


He  rose.  Can  you  go  on  now  ? 

**  I think  so.^^ 

He  took  her  hand,  and  they  set  off  again  at  a 
tremendous  pace.  Soon  he  saw  that  she  could 
not  keep  it  up,  so  he  took  off  his  coat,  gave  it 
to  her  to  hold,  and  lifted  her  up  and  carried  her. 
She  did  not  want  him  to  do  it,  but  he  just  went 
easily  off  with  her,  and  Beret  held  on  by  his 
neckerchief,  for  she  dared  not  touch  him. 
Soon  she  said  that  she  had  got  her  breath  and 
could  run  quite  well  again,  so  he  put  her  down, 
took  his  coat  and  hung  it  over  his  gun — and  off 
they  went  1 When  they  came  to  a stream  they 
stopped  and  rested  a little  before  she  took  a 
drink.  As  she  got  up  he  gave  her  a friendly 
smite,  and  said  : You’re  a good  little  one.” 

Evening  was  coming  on  when  they  reached 
the  soeter.  They  looked  in  vain  for  Mildrid, 
both  there  and  at  her  place  on  the  hillside. 
Their  calls  died  away  in  the  distance,  and  when 
Hans  noticed  the  dog  standing  snuffing  at  some- 
thing they  felt  quite  alarmed.  They  ran  to  look 
— it  was  her  little  shawl.  At  once  Hans  set  the 
71 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


dog  to  seek  the  owner  of  the  shawl.  He  sprang 
off,  and  they  after  him,  across  the  hill  and  down 
on  the  other  side,  towards  Tingvold.  Could 
she  have  gone  home  ? Beret  told  of  her  own 
thoughtless  question  and  its  consequences,  and 
Hans  said  he  saw  it  all.  Beret  began  to  cry. 

“ Shall  we  go  after  her  or  not  ? ” said  Hans. 

“ Yes,  yes ! ” urged  Beret,  half  distracted. 
But  first  they  would  have  to  go  to  the  next 
sceter,  and  ask  their  neighbours  to  send  some 
one  to  attend  to  the  cows  for  them.  While 
they  were  still  talking  about  this,  and  at  the 
same  time  following  the  dog,  they  saw  him  stop 
and  look  back,  wagging  his  tail.  They  ran  to 
him,  and  there  lay  Mildrid  ! 

She  was  lying  with  her  head  on  her  arm,  her 
face  half  buried  in  the  heather.  They  stepped 
up  gently  ; the  dog  licked  her  hands  and  cheek, 
and  she  stretched  herself  and  changed  her  posi- 
tion, but  slept  on.  “ Let  her  sleep  ! ” whispered 
Hans  ; “ and  you  go  and  put  in  the  cows.  I 
hear  the  bells.”  As  Beret  was  running  off  he 
went  after  her.  “ Bring  some  food  with  you 
72 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


when  you  come  back,”  he  whispered.  Then  he 
sat  down  a little  way  from  Mildrid,  made  the 
dog  lie  down  beside  him,  and  sat  and  held  him 
to  keep  him  from  barking. 

It  was  a cloudy  evening.  The  near  heights 
and  the  mountain-tops  were  grey ; it  was  very 
quiet ; there  was  not  even  a bird  to  be  seen. 
He  sat  or  lay,  with  his  hand  on  the  dog.  He 
had  soon  settled  what  to  arrange  with  Mildrid 
when  she  awoke.  There  was  no  cloud  in  their 
future ; he  lay  quietly  looking  up  into  the  sky. 
He  knew  that  their  meeting  was  a miracle. 
God  Himself  had  told  him  that  they  were  to  go 
through  life  together. 

He  fell  to  working  away  at  the  Bridal  March 
again,  and  the  words  that  came  to  him  now 
expressed  the  quiet  happiness  of  the  hour. 

It  was  about  eight  o^clock  when  Beret  came 
back,  bringing  food  with  her.  Mildrid  was  still 
sleeping.  Beret  set  down  what  she  was  carry- 
ing, looked  at  them  both  for  a minute,  and  then 
went  and  sat  down  a little  way  from  them. 
Nearly  an  hour  passed,  Beret  getting  up  from 
73 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


time  to  time  to  keep  herself  from  falling  asleep. 
Soon  after  nine  Mildrid  awoke.  She  turned 
several  times,  at  last  opened  her  eyes,  saw  where 
she  was  lying,  sat  up,  and  noticed  the  others. 
She  was  still  bewildered  with  sleep,  so  that  she 
did  not  take  in  rightly  where  she  was  or  what 
she  saw,  till  Hans  rose  and  came  smiling 
towards  her.  Then  she  held  out  her  hands  to 
him. 

He  sat  down  beside  her : 

“You’ve  had  a sleep  now,  Mildrid  ?” 

“ Yes,  I’ve  slept  now.” 

“ And  you’re  hungry  ? ” 

“Yes,  I’m  hungry ” and  Beret  came  for- 

ward with  the  food.  She  looked  at  it  and  then 
at  them.  “ Have  I slept  long  ? ” she  asked. 

“ Well,  it’s  almost  nine  o’clock  ; look  at  the 
sun ! ” 

Not  till  now  did  she  begin  to  remember  every- 
thing. 

“ Have  you  sat  here  long  ? ” 

“ No,  not  very  long — but  you  must  eat ! ” 
She  began  to  do  so.  “You  were  on  your  way 
74 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 

down  to  the  valley  ? ” asked  Hans  gently,  with  his 
head  nearer  hers.  She  blushed  and  whispered, 
Yes.^^ 

**  To-morrow,  when  youVe  really  had  a good 
sleep  and  rest,  well  go  down  together.*^ 

Her  eyes  looked  into  his,  first  in  surprise, 
then  as  if  she  were  thanking  him,  but  she  said 
nothing. 

After  this  she  seemed  to  revive ; she  asked 
Beret  where  she  had  been,  and  Beret  told  that 
she  had  gone  to  fetch  Hans,  and  he  told  all  the 
rest.  Mildrid  ate  and  listened,  and  yielded 
gradually  once  again  to  the  old  fascination.  She 
laughed  when  Hans  told  her  how  the  dog  had 
found  her,  and  had  licked  her  face  without 
wakening  her.  He  was  at  this  moment  greedily 
watching  every  bite  she  took,  and  she  began  to 
share  withliim. 

As  soon  as  she  had  finished,  they  went 
slowly  towards  the  soeter — and  Beret  was  soon 
in  bed.  The  two  sat  on  the  bench  outside  the 
door.  Small  rain  was  beginning  to  fall,  but  the 
broad  eaves  kept  them  from  feeling  it.  The 


75 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


mist  closed  round  the  sceter,  and  shut  them  in  in 
a sort  of  magic  circle.  It  was  neither  day  nor 
night,  but  dark  rather  than  light.  Each  softly 
spoken  word  brought  more  confidence  into  their 
talk.  Now  for  the  first  time  they  were  really 
speaking  to  each  other.  He  asked  her  so 
humbly  to  forgive  him  for  not  having  remembered 
that  she  must  feel  differently  from  him,  and  that 
she  had  parents  who  must  be  consulted.  She 
confessed  her  fear,  and  then  she  told  him  that 
he  was  the  first  real,  strong,  self-reliant  man  she 
had  ever  known,  and  that  this,  and  other  things 

she  had  heard  about  him,  had she  would 

not  go  on. 

But  in  their  trembling  happiness  everything 
spoke,  to  the  slightest  breath  they  drew.  That 
wonderful  intercourse  began  of  soul  with  soul, 
which  in  most  cases  precedes  and  prepares  for 
the  first  embrace,  but  with  these  two  came  after 
it.  The  first  timid  questions  came  through  the 
darkness,  the  first  timid  answers  found  their  way 
back.  The  words  fell  softly,  like  spirit  sounds 
on  the  night  air.  At  last  Mildrid  took  courage 
76 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


to  ask  hesitatingly  if  her  behaviour  had  not 
sometimes  struck  him  as  very  strange.  He 
assured  her  that  he  had  never  thought  it  so, 
never  once.  Had  he  not  noticed  that  she  had 
not  said  one  word  all  the  time  they  were  together 
yesterday  ? No,  he  had  not  noticed  that.  Had 
he  not  wondered  at  her  going  off  down  to  her 
parents  ? No,  he  had  thought  it  only  right  of 
her.  Had  he  not  thought  (for  a long  time  she 
would  not  say  this,  but  at  last  the  words  came, 
in  a whisper,  with  her  face  turned  away),  had  he 
not  thought  that  she  had  let  things  go  too 
quickly  ? No,  he  had  only  thought  how  beauti- 
fully everything  had  happened.  But  what  had 
he  thought  of  the  way  she  had  cried  at  their  first 
meeting  ? Well,  at  the  time  it  had  puzzled  him, 
but  now  he  understood  it,  quite  well — and  he 
was  glad  she  was  like  that. 

All  these  answers  made  her  so  happy  that  she 
felt  she  wanted  to  be  alone.  And  as  if  he  had 
guessed  this,  he  got  up  quietly  and  said  that 
now  she  must  go  to  bed.  She  rose.  He  nodded 
and  went  off  slowly  towards  the  shed  where  he 
77 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


was  to  sleep ; she  hurried  in,  undressed,  and 
when  she  had  got  into  bed  she  folded  her  hands 
and  thanked  God.  Oh,  how  she  thanked  Him ! 
Thanked  Him  for  Hans's  love,  and  patience,  and 
kindness — she  had  not  words  enough  ! Thanked 
Him  for  all,  all,  everything — even  for  the  suffer- 
ing of  the  last  two  days — for  had  it  not  made 
the  joy  all  the  greater  ? Thanked  Him  for  their 
having  been  alone  up  there  at  this  time,  and 
prayed  Him  to  be  with  her  to-morrow  when  she 
went  down  to  her  parents,  then  turned  her 
thoughts  again  to  Hans,  and  gave  thanks  for 
him  once  more,  oh,  how  gratefully ! 

When  she  came  out  of  the  soeter-house  in  the 
morning.  Beret  was  still  sleeping.  Hans  was 
standing  in  the  yard.  He  had  been  punishing 
the  dog  for  rousing  a ptarmigan,  and  it  was  now 
lying  fawning  on  him.  When  he  saw  Mildrid 
he  let  the  dog  out  of  disgrace ; it  jumped  up  on 
him  and  her,  barked  and  caressed  them,  and  was 
like  a living  expression  of  their  own  bright 
morning  happiness.  Hans  helped  Mildrid  and 
the  boys  with  the  morning  work.  By  the  time 
78 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


they  had  done  it  all  and  were  ready  to  sit  down 
to  breakfast,  Beret  was  up  and  ready  too.  Every 
time  Hans  looked  at  her  she  turned  red,  and 
when  Mildrid  after  breakfast  stood  playing  with 
his  watch  chain  while  she  spoke  to  him.  Beret 
hurried  out,  and  was  hardly  to  be  found  when  it 
was  time  for  the  two  to  go. 

**  Mildrid, said  Hans,  coming  close  to  her  and 
walking  slowly,  when  they  had  got  on  a little 
way,  I have  been  thinking  about  something 
that  I didn^t  say  to  you  yesterday.'^  His  voice 
sounded  so  serious  that  she  looked  up  into  his 
face.  He  went  on  slowly,  without  looking  at 
her ; I want  to  ask  you  if — God  granting  that 
we  get  each  other — if  you  will  go  home  with  me 
after  the  wedding  and  live  at  Haugen.’’ 

She  turned  red,  and  presently  answered 
evasively : 

What  will  father  and  mother  say  to  that  ? ” 
He  walked  on  without  answering  for  a minute, 
and  then  said  : 

did  not  think  that  mattered  so  much,  if 
we  two  were  agreed  about  it.” 

79 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


This  was  the  first  time  he  had  said  a thing 
that  hurt  her.  She  made  no  reply.  He  seemed 
to  be  waiting  for  one,  and  when  none  came,  added 
gently  : 

“ I wanted  us  two  to  be  alone  together,  to  get 
accustomed  to  each  other.” 

Now  she  began  to  understand  him  better,  but 
she  could  not  answer.  He  walked  on  as  before, 
not  looking  at  her,  and  now  quite  silent.  She 
felt  uneasy,  stole  a glance  at  him,  and  saw  that 
he  had  turned  quite  pale. 

‘'Hans!”  she  cried,  and  stood  still  without 
being  conscious  of  doing  it.  Hans  stopped  too, 
looked  quickly  at  her,  and  then  down  at  his  gun, 
which  he  was  resting  on  the  ground  and  turning 
in  his  hand. 

“ Can  you  not  go  with  me  to  my  home  ? ” 
His  voice  was  very  low,  but  all  at  once  he  looked 
her  straight  in  the  face. 

“ Yes,  I can ! ” she  answered  quickly.  Her 
eyes  looked  calmly  into  his,  but  a faint  blush  came 
over  her  cheeks.  He  changed  his  gun  into  his 

left  hand,  and  held  out  the  right  to  her. 

So 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


‘‘  Thank  you  ! he  whispered,  holding  hers  in 
a firm  clasp;  Then  they  went  on. 

She  was  brooding  over  one  thought  all  the 
time,  and  at  last  could  not  keep  it  in:  '^You 
don’t  know  my  father  and  mother.” 

He  went  on  a little  before  he  answered : 
‘‘No,  but  when  you  come  and  live  at 
Haugen,  Fll  have  time  then  to  get  to  know 
them.” 

“ They  are  so  good  ! ” added  Mildrid. 

“ So  I have  heard  from  every  one.”  He 
said  this  decidedly,  but  coldly. 

Before  she  had  time  to  think  or  say  anything 
more,  he  began  to  tell  about  his  home,  his 
brothers  and  sisters,  and  their  industry,  affec- 
tionateness,  and  cheerfulness ; about  the  poverty 
they  had  raised  themselves  from ; about  the 
tourists  who  came  and  all  the  work  they  gave ; 
about  the  house,  and  especially  about  the  new 
one  he  would  now  build  for  her  and  himself. 
She  was  to  be  the  mistress  of  the  whole  place — 
but  they  would  help  her  in  everything ; they 
would  all  try  to  make  her  life  happy,  he  not 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


least.  As  he  talked  they  walked  on  faster ; 
he  spoke  warmly,  came  closer  to  her,  and  at 
last  they  walked  hand  in  hand. 

It  could  not  be  denied  that  his  love  for  his 
home  and  his  family  made  a strong  impression 
on  her,  and  there  was  a great  attraction  in  the 
newness  of  it  all ; but  behind  this  feeling  lay 
one  of  wrong-doing  towards  her  parents,  her 
dear,  kind  parents.  So  she  began  again : 

Hans ! mother  is  getting  old  now,  and 
father  is  older ; they  have  had  a great  deal  of 
trouble — they  need  help  ; they’ve  worked  so  hard, 

and ” she  either  would  not  or  could  not 

say  more. 

He  walked  slower  and  looked  at  her,  smiling. 
‘‘Mildrid,  you  mean  that  they  have  settled  to 
give  you  the  farm  ? ” 

She  blushed,  but  did  not  answer. 

‘‘Well,  then— we’ll  let  that  alone  till  the  time 
comes.  When  they  want  us  to  take  their  places, 
it’s  for  them  to  ask  us  to  do  it.”  He  said  this 
very  gently  and  tenderly,  but  she  felt  what  it 

meant.  Thoughtful  of  others,  as  she  always 
82 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


was,  and  accustomed  to  consider  their  feelings 
before  her  own,  she  yielded  in  this  too.  But 
very  soon  they  came  to  where  they  could  see 
Tingvold  in  the  valley  below  them.  She  looked 
down  at  it,  and  then  at  him,  as  if  it  could  speak 
for  itself. 

The  big  sunny  fields  on  the  hill  slope,  with 
the  wood  encircling  and  sheltering  them,  the 
house  and  farm  buildings  a little  in  the  shadow, 
but  big  and  fine — -it  all  looked  so  beautiful. 
The  valley,  with  its  rushing,  winding  river, 
stretched  away  down  beyond,  with  farm  after 
farm  in  the  bottom  and  on  its  slopes  on  both 
sides — but  none,  not  one  to  equal  Tingvold — 
none  so  fertile  or  so  pleasant  to  the  eye,  none 
so  snugly  sheltered,  and  yet  commanding  the 
whole  valley.  When  she  saw  that  Hans  was 
struck  by  the  sight,  she  reddened  with  joy. 

^^Yes,'^  he  said,  in  answer  to  her  unspoken 
question — ''yes,  it  is  true;  Tingvold  is  a fine 
place ; it  would  be  hard  to  find  its  equal. 

He  smiled  and  bent  down  to  her.  But  I 
care  more  for  you,  Mildrid,  than  for  Tingvold  ; 

83 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


and  perhaps — you  care  more  for  me  than  for 
Tingvold  ? 

When  he  took  it  this  way  she  could  say 
no  more.  He  looked  so  happy  too;  he  sat 
down,  and  she  beside  him. 

Now  Tm  going  to  sing  something  for  you,” 
he  whispered. 

She  felt  glad.  ‘‘  Pve  never  heard  you  sing,” 
she  said. 

‘'No,  I know  you  have  not ; and  though 
people  talk  about  my  singing,  you  must  not 
think  it’s  anything  very  great.  There’s  only 
this  about  it,  that  it  comes  upon  me  sometimes, 
and  then  I must  sing.” 

He  sat  thinking  for  a good  while,  and  then 
he  sang  her  the  song  that  he  had  made  for 
their  own  wedding  to  the  tune  of  her  race’s 
Bridal  March.  Quite  softly  he  sang  it,  but 
with  such  exultation  as  she  had  never  heard 
in  any  voice  before.  She  looked  down  on  her 
home,  the  house  she  was  to  drive  away  from  on 
that  day ; followed  the  road  with  her  eyes  down 
to  the  bridge  across  the  river,  and  along  on  the 

84 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Other  side  right  up  to  the  church,  which  lay  on 
a height,  among  birch-trees,  with  a group  of 
houses  near  it.  It  was  not  a very  clear  day, 
but  the  subdued  light  over  the  landscape  was  in 
sympathy  with  the  subdued  picture  in  her  mind. 
How  many  hundred  times  had  she  not  driven 
that  road  in  fancy,  only  she  never  knew  with 
whom ! The  words  and  the  tune  entranced 
her ; the  peculiar  warm,  soft  voice  seemed  to 
touch  the  very  depths  of  her  being  ; her  eyes 
were  full,  but  she  was  not  crying ; nor  was 
she  laughing.  She  was  sitting  with  her  hand 
on  his,  now  looking  at  him,  now  over  the  valley, 
when  she  saw  smoke  beginning  to  rise  from  the 
chimney  of  her  home ; the  fire  was  being  lit  for 
making  the  dinner.  This  was  an  omen ; she 
turned  to  Hans  and  pointed.  He  had  finished 
his  song  now,  and  they  sat  still  and  looked. 

Very  soon  they  were  on  their  way  down 
through  the  birch  wood,  and  Hans  was  having 
trouble  with  the  dog,  to  make  him  keep  quiet. 
Mildrid/s  heart  began  to  throb.  Hans  arranged 
with  her  that  he  would  stay  behind,  but  near 
85 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


the  house ; it  was  better  that  she  should  go  in 
first  alone.  He  carried  her  over  one  or  two 
marshy  places,  and  he  felt  that  her  hands  were 
cold.  Don^t  think  of  what  you’re  to  say,”  he 
whispered ; ‘‘just  wait  and  see  how  things 
come.”  She  gave  no  sound  in  answer,  nor  did 
she  look  at  him. 

They  came  out  of  the  wood — the  last  part 
had  been  big  dark  fir-trees,  among  which  they 
had  walked  slowly,  he  quietly  telling  her  about 
her  great-grandfather’s  wooing  of  his  father’s 
sister,  Aslaug ; an  old,  strange  story,  which 
she  only  half  heard,  but  which  all  the  same 
helped  her— came  out  of  the  wood  into  the  open 
fields  and  meadows ; and  he  became  quiet  too. 
Now  she  turned  to  him,  and  her  look  expressed 
such  a great  dread  of  what  was  before  her  that 
it  made  him  feel  wretched.  He  found  no  words 
of  encouragement ; the  matter  concerned  him 
too  nearly.  They  walked  on  a little  farther, 
side  by  side,  some  bushes  between  them  and 
the  house  concealing  them  from  its  inhabitants. 
When  they  got  so  near  that  he  thought  she 
86 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


must  now  go  on  alone,  he  whistled  softly  to 
the  dog,  and  she  took  this  as  the  sign  that  they 
must  part.  She  stopped  and  looked  utterly 
unhappy  and  forlorn ; he  whispered  to  her : 

ril  be  praying  for  you  here,  Mildrid — and  Til 
come  when  you  need  me.^^  She  gave  him  a 
kind  of  distracted  look  of  thanks ; she  was 
really  unable  either  to  think  or  to  see  clearly. 
Then  she  walked  on. 

As  soon  as  she  came  out  from  the  bushes  she 
saw  right  into  the  big  room  of  the  main  build- 
ing— right  through  it — for  it  had  windows  at 
both  ends,  one  looking  up  towards  the  wood 
and  one  down  the  valley.  Hans  had  seated 
himself  behind  the  nearest  bush,  with  the  dog  at 
his  side,  and  he  too  could  see  everything  in  the 
room  ; at  this  moment  there  was  no  one  in  it. 
Mildrid  looked  back  once  when  she  came  to  the 
barn,  and  he  nodded  to  her.  Then  she  went 
round  the  end  of  the  barn,  into  the  yard. 

Everything  stood  in  its  old,  accustomed  order, 
and  it  was  very  quiet.  Some  hens  were  walk- 
ing on  the  barn-steps.  The  wooden  framework 
87 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


for  the  stacks  had  been  brought  out  and  set  up 
against  the  storehouse  wall  since  she  was  there 
last ; that  was  the  only  change  she  saw.  She 
turned  to  the  right  to  go  first  into  grandmother’s 
house,  her  fear  tempting  her  to  take  this  little 
respite  before  meeting  her  parents ; when,  just 
between  the  two  houses,  at  the  wood-block,  she 
came  on  her  father,  fitting  a handle  to  an  axe. 
He  was  in  his  knitted  jersey  with  the  braces 
over  it,  bareheaded,  his  thin  long  hair  blowing 
in  the  breeze  that  was  beginning  to  come  up 
from  the  valley.  He  looked  well,  and  almost 
cheerful  at  his  work,  and  she  took  courage  at 
the  sight.  He  did  not  notice  her,  she  had  come 
so  quietly  and  cautiously  over  the  flagstones. 

“ Good  morning  ! ” she  said  in  a low  voice, 

He  looked  at  her  in  surprise  for  a moment. 

“ Is  that  you,  Mildrid  ? Is  there  anything 
the  matter  ? ” he  added  hastily,  examining  her 
face. 

“ No,”  she  said,  and  blushed  a little.  But  he 
kept  his  eyes  on  hers,  and  she  did  not  dare 
to  look  up. 


88 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Then  he  put  down  the  axe,  saying : 

Let  us  go  in  to  mother  ! 

On  the  way  he  asked  one  or  two  questions 
about  things  up  at  the  soeter,  and  got  satisfactory 
answers. 

Now  Hans  sees  us  going  in,”  thought 
Mildrid,  as  they  passed  a gap  between  the  barn 
and  some  of  the  smaller  outhouses. 

When  they  got  into  the  living-room,  her 
father  went  to  the  door  leading  into  the  kitchen, 
opened  it,  and  called  : 

Come  here,  mother ! Mildrid  has  come 
down.” 

''Why,  Mildrid,  has  anything  gone  wrong?” 
was  answered  from  the  kitchen. 

" No,”  replied  Mildrid  from  behind  her  father, 
and  then  coming  to  the  door  herself,  she  went 
into  the  kitchen  and  stood  beside  her  mother, 
who  was  sitting  by  the  hearth  paring  potatoes 
and  putting  them  in  the  pot. 

Her  mother  now  looked  as  inquiringly  at  her 
as  her  father  had  done,  with  the  same  effect. 
Then  Randi  set  away  the  potato  dish,  went  to 

89 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


the  outer  door  and  spoke  to  some  one  there, 
came  back  again,  took  off  her  kitchen  apron  and 
washed  her  hands,  and  they  went  together  into 
the  room. 

Mildrid  knew  her  parents,  and  knew  that 
these  preparations  meant  that  they  expected 
something  unusual.  She  had  had  little  courage 
before,  but  now  it  grew  less.  Her  father  took 
his  raised  seat  close  to  the  farthest  away  window, 
the  one  that  looked  down  the  valley.  Her 
mother  sat  on  the  same  bench,  but  nearer  the 
kitchen.  Mildrid  seated  herself  on  the  opposite 
one,  in  front  of  the  table.  Hans  could  see  her 
there ; and  he  could  see  her  father,  right  in  the 
face,  but  her  mother  he  could  hardly  see. 

Her  mother  asked,  as  her  father  had  done 
before,  about  things  at  the  soeter ; got  the  same 
information  and  a little  more  ; for  she  asked 
more  particularly.  It  was  evident  that  both 
sides  were  making  this  subject  last  as  long  as 
possible,  but  it  was  soon  exhausted.  In  the 
pause  that  came,  both  parents  looked  at  Mildrid. 
She  avoided  the  look,  and  asked  what  news 
90 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


there  was  of  the  neighbours.  This  subject  was 
also  drawn  out  as  long  as  possible,  but  it  came 
to  an  end  too.  The  same  silence,  the  same 
expectant  eyes  turned  on  the  daughter.  There 
was  nothing  left  for  her  to  ask  about,  and  she 
began  to  rub  her  hand  back  and  forwards  on  the 
bench. 

**  Have  you  been  in  at  grandmother’s  ? ” asked 
her  mother,  who  was  beginning  to  get  frightened. 

No,  she  had  not  been  there.  This  meant 
then  that  their  daughter  had  something  par- 
ticular to  say  to  thentf  and  it  could  not  with  any 
seemliness  be  put  off  longer. 

There  is  something  that  I must  tell  you,” 
she  got  out  at  last,  with  changing  colour  and 
downcast  eyes. 

Her  father  and  mother  exchanged  troubled 
looks.  Mildrid  raised  her  head  and  looked  at 
them  with  great  imploring  eyes. 

What  is  it,  my  child  ? ” asked  her  mother 
anxiously. 

I am  betrothed,”  said  Mildrid ; hung  her 
head  again,  and  burst  into  tears. 


91 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


No  more  stunning  blow  could  have  fallen  on 
the  quiet  circle.  The  parents  sat  looking  at 
each  other,  pale  and  silent.  The  steady,  gentle 
Mildrid,  for  whose  careful  ways  and  whose 
obedience  they  had  so  often  thanked  God,  had, 
without  asking  their  advice,  without  their  know- 
ledge,  taken  lifers  most  important  step,  a step 
that  was  also  decisive  for  their  past  and  future. 
Mildrid  felt  each  thought  along  with  them,  and 
fear  stopped  her  crying. 

Her  father  asked  gently  and  slowly:  '^To 
whom,  my  child  ? 

After  a silence  came  the  whispered  answer : 

To  Hans  Haugen,” 

No  name  or  event  connected  with  Haugen  had 
been  mentioned  in  that  room  for  more  than 
twenty  years.  In  her  parents’  opinion  nothing 
but  evil  had  come  to  Tingvold  from  there. 
Mildrid  again  knew  their  thoughts : she  sat 
motionless,  awaiting  her  sentence. 

Her  father  spoke  again  mildly  and  slowly  : We 
don’t  know  the  man,  neither  I nor  your  mother 

— and  we  didn’t  know  that  you  knew  him.” 

92 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


And  I didn^t  know  him  either/’  said  Mildrid. 

The  astonished  parents  looked  at  each  other. 

How  did  it  happen  then  ?”  It  was  her  mother 
who  asked  this. 

‘'That  is  what  I don’t  know  myself/’  said 
Mildrid. 

“ But,  my  child,  surely  you’re  mistress  of  your 
own  actions  ? ” 

Mildrid  did  not  answer. 

"We  thought,”  added  her  father  gently, 
'‘that  we  could  be  quite  sure  oi  youP 

Mildrid  did  not  answer. 

" But  how  did  it  happen  ? ” repeated  her 
mother  more  impatiently ; you  must  know  that !” 

"No,  I don’t  know  it — I only  know  that  I 
could  not  help  it — no,  I couldn’t  ! ” She  was 
sitting  holding  on  to  the  bench  with  both  hands. 

" God  forgive  and  help  you ! Whatever  came 
over  you  ? ” 

Mildrid  gave  no  answer. 

Her  father  calmed  their  rising  excitement  by 
saying  in  a gentle,  friendly  voice  : "Why  did  you 
not  speak  to  one  of  us,  my  child  ? ” 


93 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


And  her  mother  controlled  herself,  and  said 
quietly  : You  know  how  much  we  think  of  our 
children,  we  who  have  lived  such  a lonely  life ; 
and — yes,  we  may  say  it,  especially  of  you, 
Mildrid ; for  you  have  been  so  much  to  us.’’ 

Mildrid  felt  as  if  she  did  not  know  where  she 
was. 

‘‘Yes,  we  did  not  think  you  would  desert  us 
like  this.” 

It  was  her  father  who  spoke  last.  Though 
the  words  came  gently,  they  did  not  hurt  the  less. 

“ I will  not  desert  you  1 ” she  stammered. 

“You  must  not  say  that,”  he  answered,  more 
gravely  than  before,  “ for  you  have  done  it 
already.” 

Mildrid  felt  that  this  was  true,  and  at  the  same 
time  that  it  was  not  true,  but  she  could  not  put 
her  feeling  into  words. 

Her  mother  went  on  : “ Of  what  good  has  it 
all  been,  the  love  that  we  have  shown  our 
children,  and  the  fear  of  God  that  we  have 

taught  them  ? In  the  first  temptation ” for 

her  daughter’s  sake  she  could  say  no  more. 


94 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


But  Mildrid  could  bear  it  no  longer.  She 
threw  her  arms  over  the  table,  laid  her  head  on 
them,  her  face  towards  her  father,  and  sobbed. 

Neither  father  nor  mother  was  capable  of 
adding  by  another  reproachful  word  to  the 
remorse  she  seemed  to  feel.  So  there  was 
silence. 

It  might  have  lasted  long — but  Hans  Haugen 
tsaw  from  where  he  sat  that  she  was  in  need  of 
help*.  His  hunters  eye  had  caught  every  look, 
seen  the  movement  of  their  lips,  seen  her  silent 
struggle ; now  he  saw  her  throw  herself  on  the 
table,  and  he  jumped  up,  and  soon  his  light  foot 
was  heard  in  the  passage.  He  knocked  ; they 
all  looked  up,  but  no  one  said,  ^'Come  in ! 
Mildrid  half  rose,  blushing  through  her  tears  ; 
the  door  opened,  and  Hans  with  his  gun  and  dog 
stood  there,  pale  but  quite  composed.  ^ He 
turned  and  shut  the  door,  while  the  dog,  wagging 
its  tail,  went  up  to  Mildrid.  Hans  had  been  too 
preoccupied  to  notice  that  it  had  followed  him  in. 

‘^Good  morning!’^  said  he.  Mildrid  fell 
back  on  her  seat,  drew  a long  breath,  and  looked 
95 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


at  him  with  relief  in  her  eyes ; her  fear,  her 
bad  conscience — all  gone  ! She  was  rights  yes; 
she  was  right — let  come  now  whatever  it  pleased 
God  to  send ! 

No  one  had  answered  Hanses  greeting,  nor 
had  he  been  asked  to  come  forward. 

am  Hans  Haugen,”  he  said  quietly;  lowered 
his  gun  and  stood  holding  it.  After  the  parents 
had  exchanged  looks  once  or  twice,  he  went  on, 
but  with  a struggle  : I came  down  with  Mildrid, 
for  if  she  has  done  wrong,  it  was  my  fault.” 

Something  had  to  be  said.  The  mother 
looked  at  the  father,  and  at  last  he  said  that  all 
this  had  happened  without  their  knowing  any- 
thing of  it,  and  that  Mildrid  could  give  them  no 
explanation  of  how  it  had  come  about.  Hans 
answered  that  neither  could  he.  I am  not  a 
boy,”  he  said,  for  I am  twenty-eight ; but  yet  it 
came  this  way,  that  I,  who  never  cared  for  any  one 
before,  could  think  of  nothing  else  in  the  world 
from  the  time  I saw  her.  If  she  had  said  No — 
well,  I can’t  tell — but  I shouldn’t  have  been 

good  for  much  after  that.” 

96 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


The  quiet,  Straightforward  way  he  said  this  made 
a good  impression.  Mildrid  trembled  ; for  she 
felt  that  this  gave  things  a different  look.  Hans 
had  his,  cap  on,  for  in  their  district  it  was  not  the 
custom  for  a passer-by  to  take  off  his  hat  when 
he  came  in  ; but  now  he  took  it  off  unconsciously, 
hung  it  on  the  barrel  of  his  gun,  and  crossed  his 
hands  over  it.  There  was  something  about  his 
whole  appearance  and  behaviour  that  claimed 
consideration. 

Mildrid  is  so  young,”  said  her  mother ; 
^^none  of  us  had  thought  of  anything  like  this 
beginning  with  her  already.” 

''  That  is  true  enough,  but  to  make  up  I am 
so  much  older,”  he  answered ; ''  and  the  house- 
keeping at  home,  in  my  house,  is  no  great 
affair;  it  will  not  task  her  too  hard — and  I 
have  plenty  of  help.” 

The  parents  looked  at  each  other,  at  Mildrid, 
at  him.  Do  you  mean  her  to  go  home  with 
you?”  the  father  asked  incredulously,  almost 
ironically. 

Yes,”  said  Hans ; “ it  is  not  the  farm  that 
97  G 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


I am  coming  after.”  He  reddened,  and  so  did 
Mildrid. 

If  the  farm  had  sunk  into  the  ground  the 
parents  could  not  have  been  more  astonished 
than  they  were  at  hearing  it  thus  despised,  and 
Mildrid’s  silence  showed  that  she  agreed  with 
Hans.  There  was  something  in  this  resolution 
of  the  young  people,  unintentional  on  their  part, 
that,  as  it  were,  took  away  from  the  parents  the 
right  of  decision  ; they  felt  themselves  humbled. 

“ And  it  was  you  who  said  that  you  would 
not  forsake  us,”  said  her  mother  in  quiet  re- 
proach, that  went  to  Mildrid’s  heart.  But  Hans 
came  to  her  assistance  : 

“ Every  child  that  marries  has  to  leave  its 
parents.” 

He  smiled,  and  added  in  a friendly  way  : 
“ But  it’s  not  a long  journey  to  Haugen  from 
here — just  a little  over  four  miles.” 

Words  are  idle  things  at  a time  like  this ; 
thoughts  take  their  own  way  in  spite  of  them. 
The  parents  felt  themselves  deserted,  almost 
deceived  by  the  young  ones.  They  knew  that 
98 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


there  was  no  fault  to  be  found  with  the  way  of 
living  at  Haugen  ; the  tourists  had  given  the 
place  a good  name ; from  time  to  time  it  had 
been  noticed  in  the  newspapers  ; but  Haugen 
was  Haugen,  and  that  their  dearest  child  should 
wish  to  carry  their  race  back  to  Haugen  was 
more  than  they  could  bear  ! In  such  circum- 
stances most  people  would  likely  have  been 
angry,  but  what  these  two  desired  was  to  get 
quietly  away  from  what  pained  them.  They 
exchanged  a look  of  understanding,  and  the 
father  said  mildly  : 

^‘This  is  too  much  for  us  all  at  once;  we 
can^t  well  give  our  answer  yet.^’ 

‘'No,**  continued  the  mother;  “we  were  not 
expecting  such  great  news — nor  to  get  it  like 
this.** 

Hans  stood  quiet  for  a minute  before  he  said  : 

“It  is  true  enough  that  Mildrid  should  first 
have  asked  her  parents*  leave.  But  remember 
that  neither  of  us  knew  what  was  happening  till 
it  was  too  late.  For  that  is  really  the  truth. 
Then  we  could  do  no  more  than  come  at  once, 
99 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


both  of  US,  and  that  we  have  done.  You  must 
not  be  too  hard  on  us.” 

This  left  really  nothing  more  to  be  said  about 
their  behaviour,  and  Hans’s  quiet  manner  made 
his  words  sound  all  the  more  trustworthy. 
Altogether  Endrid  felt  that  he  was  not  holding 
his  own  against  him,  and  the  little  confidence  he 
had  in  himself  made  him  the  more  desirous  to 
get  away. 

“We  do  not  know  you,”  he  said,  and  looked 
at  his  wife.  “ We  must  be  allowed  to  think  it 
over.” 

“ Yes,  that  will  certainly  be  best,”  went  on 
Randi ; “ we  ought  to  know  something  about  the 
man  we  are  to  give  our  child  to.” 

Mildrid  felt  the  offence  there  was  in  these 
words,  but  looked  imploringly  at  Hans. 

“ That  is  true,”  answered  Hans,  beginning  to 
turn  his  gun  under  the  one  hand ; “ although  I 
don’t  believe  there  are  many  men  in  the  district 
much  better  known  than  I am.  But  perhaps 
some  one  has  spoken  ill  of  me  ? ” He  looked  up 
to  them. 


100 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Mildrid  sat  there  feeling  ashamed  on  her 
parents’  account,  and  they  themselves  felt  that 
they  had  perhaps  awakened  a false  suspicion, 
and  this  they  had  no  desire  to  do.  So  both 
said  at  once : 

“No,  we  have  heard  nothing  bad  of  you.” 

And  the  mother  hastened  to  add  that  it  was 
really  the  case  that  they  hardly  knew  anything 
about  him,  for  they  had  so  seldom  asked  about 
the  Haugen  people.  She  meant  no  harm  at  all 
by  saying  this,  and  not  till  the  words  had  passed 
her  lips  did  she  notice  that  she  had  expressed 
herself  unfortunately,  and  she  could  see  that 
both  her  husband  and  Mildrid  felt  the  same.  It 
was  a little  time  before  the  answer  came : 

“ If  the  family  of  Tingvold  have  never  asked 
after  the  Haugen  people,  the  fault  is  not  ours ; 
we  have  been  poor  people  till  these  last  years.” 

In  these  few  words  lay  a reproach  that  was 
felt  by  all  three  to  be  deserved,  and  that 
thoroughly.  But  never  till  now  had  it  occurred 
to  either  husband  or  wife  that  they  had  been  in 
this  case  neglecting  a duty ; never  till  now  had 


lOI 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


they' reflected  that  their  poor  relations  at  Haugen 
should  not  have  been  made  to  suffer  for  mis- 
fortunes of  which  they  had  been  in  no  way  the 
cause.  They  stole  an  awkward  glance  at  each 
other,  and  sat  still,  feeling  real  shame.  Hans 
had  spoken  quietly,  though  Randi’s  words  must 
have  been  very  irritating  to  him.  This  made 
both  the  old  people  feel  that  he  was  a fine 
fellow,  and  that  they  had  two  wrongs  to  make 
good  again.  Thus  it  came  about  that  Endrid 
said  : 

“ Let  us  take  time  and  think  things  over ; 
can't  you  stay  here  and  have  dinner  with  us  ? 
Then  we  can  talk  a little.” 

And  Randi  added : “ Come  away  here  and 
sit  down.” 

Both  of  them  rose. 

Hans  set  away  the  gun  with  his  cap  on  it, 
and  went  forward  to  the  bench  on  which  Mildrid 
was  sitting,  whereupon  she  at  once  got  up,  she 
did  not  know  why.  Her  mother  said  she  had 
things  to  see  to  in  the  kitchen,  and  went  out.  Her 
father  was  preparing  to  go  too  ; but  Mildrid  did 


102 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


not  wish  to  be  alone  with  Hans  as  long  as  her 
parents  withheld  their  consent,  so  she  went 
towards  the  other  door,  and  they  presently  saw 
her  crossing  the  yard  to  her  grandmother^s 
house.  As  Endrid  could  not  leave  Hans  alone, 
he  turned  and  sat  down  again. 

The  two  men  talked  together  about  indifferent 
matters — first  it  was  about  the  hunting,  about 
the  Haugen  brothers*  arrangements  in  the  little 
summer  huts  they  had  high  up  on  the  mountains, 
about  the  profits  they  made  by  this  sort  of  thing, 
&c.  &c.  From  this  they  came  to  Haugen  itself, 
and  the  tourists,  and  the  farm  management ; and 
from  all  he  heard  Endrid  got  the  impression  of 
there  being  prosperity  there  now,  and  plenty  of 
life.  Randi  came  backwards  and  forwards, 
making  preparations  for  the  dinner,  and  often 
listened  to  what  was  being  said  ; and  it  was 
easy  to  see  that  the  two  old  people,  at  first  so 
shy  of  Hans,  became  by  degrees  a little  surer  of 
him  ; for  the  questions  began  to  be  more 
personal. 

They  did  not  fail  to  observe  his  good  manners 
103 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


at  the  dinner-table.  He  sat  with  his  back  to 
the  wall,  opposite  Mildrid  and  her  mother ; the 
father  sat  at  the  end  of  the  table  on  his  high 
seat.  The  farm  people  had  dined  earlier,  in  the 
kitchen,  where  indeed  all  in  the  house  generally 
took  their  meals  together.  They  were  making 
the  difference  to-day  because  they  were  unwilling 
that  Hans  should  be  seen.  Mildrid  felt  at  table 
that  her  mother  looked  at  her  whenever  Hans 
smiled.  He  had  one  of  those  serious  faces  that 
grow  very  pleasant  when  they  smile.  One  or 
two  such  things  Mildrid  added  together  in  her 
mind,  and  brought  them  to  the  sum  she  wanted  to 
arrive  at.  Only  she  did  not  feel  herself  so  sure, 
but  that  the  strain  in  the  room  was  too  great  for 
her,  and  she  was  glad  enough  to  escape  from  it  by 
going  after  dinner  again  to  her  grandmother's. 

The  men  took  a walk  about  the  farm,  but 
they  neither  went  where  the  people  were  work- 
ing, nor  where  grandmother  could  see  them. 
Afterwards  they  came  and  sat  in  the  room  again, 
and  now  mother  had  finished  her  work  and 
could  sit  with  them.  By  degrees  the  conversation 

104 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


naturally  became  more  confidential,  and  in  course 
of  time  (but  this  was  not  till  towards  evening) 
Randi  ventured  to  ask  Hans  how  it  had  all 
come  about  between  him  and  Mildrid ; Mildrid 
herself  had  been  able  to  give  no  account  of  it. 
Possibly  it  was  principally  out  of  feminine 
curiosity  that  the  mother  asked,  but  the  question 
was  a very  welcome  one  to  Hans. 

He  described  everything  minutely,  and  with 
such  evident  happiness,  that  the  old  people  were 
almost  at  once  carried  away  by  his  story.  And 
when  he  came  to  yesterday — to  the  forced  march 
Beret  had  made  in  search  of  him  because  Mildrid 
was  plunged  in  anguish  of  mind  on  her  parents’ 
account — and  then  came  to  Mildrid  herself,  and 
told  of  her  ever-increasing  remorse  because  her 
parents  knew  nothing ; told  of  her  flight  down 
to  them,  and  how,  worn-out  in  soul  and  body, 
she  had  had  to  sit  down  and  rest  and  had  fallen 
asleep,  alone  and  unhappy — ^Jhen  the  old  people 
felt  that  they  recognised  their  child  again.  And 
the  mother  especially  began  to  feel  that  she  had 
perhaps  been  too  hard  with  her. 

105 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


While  the  young  man  was  telling  about 
Mildrid,  he  was  telling  too,  without  being  aware 
of  it,  about  himself;  for  his  love  to  Mildrid 
showed  clearly  in  every  word,  and  made  her 
parents  glad.  He  felt  this  himself  at  last,  and 
was  glad  too — and  the  old  couple,  unaccustomed 
to  such  quiet  self-reliance  and  strength,  felt  real 
happiness.  This  went  on  increasing,  till  the 
mother  at  last,  without  thinking,  said  smilingly : 

“ I suppose  you’ve  arranged  everything  right 
up  to  the  wedding,  you  two — before  asking  either 
of  us  ? ” 

The  father  laughed  too,  and  Hans  answered, 
just  as  it  occurred  to  him  at  the  moment,  by 
softly  singing  a single  line  of  the  Wedding 
March, 

“Play  away ! speed  us  on ! we’re  in  haste,  I and  you ! ” 

and  laughed ; but  was  modest  enough  at  once 
to  turn  to  something  else.  He  happened  acci- 
dentally to  look  at  Randi,  and  saw  that  she  was 
quite  pale.  He  felt  in  an  instant  that  he  had 
made  a mistake  in  recalling  that  tune  to  her. 
io6 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Endrid  looked  apprehensively  at  his  wife,  whose 
emotion  grew  till  it  became  so  strong  that  she 
could  not  stay  in  the  room ; she  got  up  and 
went  out. 

" I know  I have  done  something  wrong,”  said 
Hans  anxiously. 

Endrid  made  no  reply.  Hans,  feeling  very 
unhappy,  got  up  to  go  after  Randi  and  excuse 
himself,  but  sat  down  again,  declaring  that  he 
had  meant  no  harm  at  all. 

“ No,  you  could  hardly  be  expected  to  under- 
stand rightly  about  that,”  said  Endrid. 

“ Can’t  j/ou  go  after  her  and  put  it  right 
again ! ” 

He  had  already  such  confidence  in  this  man 
that  he  dared  ask  him  anything. 

But  Endrid  said : “ No ; rather  leave  her 
alone  just  now  ; I know  her.” 

Hans,  who  a few  minutes  before  had  felt  him- 
self at  the  very  goal  of  his  desires,  now  felt 
himself  cast  into  the  depths  of  despair,  and 
would  not  be  cheered  up,  though  Endrid  strove 
patiently  to  do  it.  The  dog  helped  by  coming 
107 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


forward  to  them ; for  Endrid  went  on  asking 
questions  about  him,  and  afterwards  told  with 
real  pleasure  about  a dog  he  himself  had  had, 
and  had  taken  much  interest  in,  as  is  generally 
the  way  with  people  leading  a lonely  life. 

Randi  had  gone  out  and  sat  down  on  the 
doorstep.  The  thought  of  her  daughter’s 
marriage  and  the  sound  of  the  Bridal  March 
together  had  stirred  up  old  memories  too  pain- 
fully. She  had  not,  like  her  daughter,  given 
herself  willingly  to  a man  she  loved ! The 
shame  of  her  wedding-day  had  been  deserved ; 
and  that  shame,  and  the  trouble,  and  the  loss  of 
their  children — all  the  suffering  and  struggle  of 
years  came  over  her  again. 

And  so  all  her  Bible-reading  and  all  her 
praying  had  been  of  no  avail ! She  sat  there  in 
the  most  violent  agitation  ! Her  grief  that  she 
could  thus  be  overcome  caused  her  in  despair  to 
begin  the  bitterest  self-accusation.  Again  she 
felt  the  scorn  of  the  crowd  at  her  foolish  bridal 
procession ; again  she  loathed  herself  for  her 
own  weakness — that  she  could  not  stop  her 

io8 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


crying  then,  nor  her  thinking  of  it  now — that 
with  her  want  of  self-control  she  had  cast 
undeserved  suspicion  on  her  parents,  destroyed 
her  own  health  and  through  this  caused  the 
death  of  the  children  she  bore,  and  lastly  that 
with  all  this  she  had  embittered  the  life  of  a 
loving  husband,  and  feigned  a piety  that  was  not 
real,  as  her  present  behaviour  clearly  showed  ! 

How  dreadful  that  she  still  felt  it  in  this  way — 
that  she  had  got  no  farther ! 

Then  it  burst  upon  her — both  her  crying  in 
church  and  the  consuming  bitterness  that  had 
spoiled  the  early  years  of  her  married  life  had 
been  wounded  vanity.  It  was  wounded  vanity 
that  was  weeping  now ; and  that  might  at  any 
moment  separate  her  from  God,  her  happiness 
in  this  world  and  the  world  to  come ! 

So  worthless,  so  worthless  did  she  feel  herself 
that  she  dared  not  look  up  to  God ; for  oh ! how 
great  were  her  shortcomings  towards  Him ! 
But  why,  she  began  to  wonder,  why  had  she 
succumbed  just  now — at  the  moment  when  her 
daughter,  in  all  true-heartedness  and  overflowing 
109 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


happiness,  had  given  herself  to  the  man  she 
loved  ? Why  at  this  moment  arouse  all  the 
ugly  memories  and  thoughts  that  lay  dormant 
in  her  mind  ? Was  she  envious  of  Mildrid ; 
envious  of  her  own  daughter  ? No,  that  she 
knew  she  was  not — and  she  began  to  recover 
herself. 

What  a grand  thought  it  was  that  her  daughter 
was  perhaps  going  to  atone  for  her  fault ! Could 
children  do  that  ? Yes,  as  surely  as  they  them- 
selves were  a work  of  ours,  they  could — but  we 
must  help  too,  with  repentance,  with  gratitude ! 
And  before  Randi  knew  what  was  happening, 
she  could  pray  again,  bowing  in  deep  humility 
and  contrition  before  the  Lord,  who  had  once 
more  shown  her  what  she  was  without  Him. 
She  prayed  for  grace  as  one  that  prays  for  life ; 
for  she  felt  that  it  was  life  that  was  coming  to 
her  again ! Now  her  account  was  blotted  out ; 
it  was  just  the  last  settling  of  it  that  had 
unnerved  her. 

She  rose  and  looked  up  through  streaming 
tears  ; she  knew  that  things  had  come  right  now ; 


no 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


there  was  One  who  had  lifted  the  burden  of  pain 
from  her ! 

Had  she  not  had  the  same  feeling  often 
before  ? No,  never  a feeling  like  this — not  till 
now  was  the  victory  won.  And  she  went 
forward  knowing  that  she  had  gained  the 
mastery  over  herself.  Something  was  broken 
that  till  now  had  bound  her — she  felt  with 
every  movement  that  she  was  free  both  in  soul 
and  body.  And  if,  after  God,  she  had  her 
daughter  to  thank  for  this,  that  daughter  should 
in  return  be  helped  to  enjoy  her  own  happiness 
to  the  full. 

By  this  time  she  was  in  the  passage  of 
grandmother^s  house ; but  no  one  in  the  house 
recognised  her  step.  She  took  hold  of  the 
latch  and  opened  the  door  like  a different 
person.  Mildrid,  come  here  ! she  said  ; and 
Mildrid  and  her  grandmother  looked  at  each 
other,  for  that  was  not  mother.  Mildrid  ran 
to  her.  What  could  be  happening  ? Her 
mother  took  her  by  the  arm,  shut  the  door 
behind  her,  so  that  they  were  alone,  then  threw 


III 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


her  arms  round  her  neck,  and  wept  and  wept, 
embracing  her  with  a vehemence  and  happiness 
which  Mildrid,  uplifted  by  her  love,  could 
return  right  heartily, 

“ God  for  ever  bless  and  recompense  you ! ” 
whispered  the  mother. 

The  two  sitting  in  the  other  house  saw  them 
coming  across  the  yard,  hand  in  hand,  walking 
so  fast  that  they  felt  sure  something  had  hap- 
pened. The  door  opened  and  both  came 
forward.  But  instead  of  giving  her  to  Hans, 
or  saying  anything  to  him  or  Endrid,  the  mother 
just  put  her  arms  once  more  round  her  daughter, 
and  repeated  with  a fresh  burst  of  emotion : 
“ God  for  ever  bless  and  reward  you  1 ” 

Soon  they  were  all  sitting  in  grandmother’s 
room.  The  old  woman  was  very  happy.  She 
knew  quite  well  who  Hans  Haugen  was — the 
young  people  had  often  spoken  about  him ; and 
she  at  once  understood  that  this  union  wiped 
out,  as  it  were,  much  that  was  painful  in  the 
life  of  her  son  and  his  wife.  Besides,  Hans’s 
good  looks  rejoiced  the  cheery  old  woman’s 

II2 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


heart.  They  all  stayed  with  her,  and  the  day 
ended  with  father,  after  a psalm,  reading  from 
a prayer-book  a portion  beginning : ‘‘  The  Lord 
has  been  in  our  house  ! ” 

I shall  only  tell  of  two  days  in  their  life  after 
this,  and  in  each  of  these  days  only  of  a few 
minutes. 

The  first  is  the  young  people’s  wedding-day. 
Inga,  Mildrid’s  cousin,  herself  a married  woman 
now,  had  come  to  deck  out  the  bride.  This 
was  done  in  the  store-house.  The  old  chest 
which  held  the  family’s  bridal  silver  ornaments 
— crown,  girdle,  stomacher,  brooches,  rings — 
was  drawn  from  its  place.  Grandmother  had 
the  key  of  it,  and  came  to  open  it.  Beret  acting 
as  her  assistant.  Mildrid  had  put  on  her 
wedding-dress  and  all  the  ornaments  that 
belonged  to  herself,  before  this  grandeur  (well 
polished  by  Beret  and  grandmother  the  week 
before)  came  to  light,  glittering  and  heavy. 
One  after  another  each  ornament  was  tried. 
Beret  held  the  mirror  in  front  of  the  bride. 

113  H 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


Grandmother  told  how  many  of  her  family  had 
worn  these  silver  things  on  their  wedding-day, 
the  happiest  of  them  all  her  own  mother,  Aslaug 
Haugen, 

Presently  they  heard  the  Bridal  March  played 
outside ; they  all  stopped,  listened,  and  then 
hurried  to  the  door  to  see  what  it  meant. 
The  first  person  they  saw  was  Endrid,  the 
bride’s  father.  He  had  seen  Hans  Haugen 
with  his  brothers  and  sisters  coming  driving 
up  the  road  to  the  farm.  It  was  not  often 
that  any  idea  out  of  the  common  came  to 
Endrid,  but  on  this  occasion  it  did  occur  to 
him  that  these  guests  ought  to  be  received  with 
the  March  of  their  race.  He  called  out  the 
fiddlers  and  started  them ; he  was  standing 
beside  them  himself,  and  some  others  had  joined 
him,  when  Hans  and  his  good  brothers  and 
sisters,  in  two  carriages,  drove  into  the  yard. 
It  was  easily  seen  that  this  reception  touched 
them. 

An  hour  later  the  March  of  course  struck  up 
again.  This  was  when  the  bride  and  bride- 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


groom,  and  after  them  the  bride’s  parents,  came 
out,  with  the  players  going  before  them,  to  get 
into  the  carriages.  At  some  great  moments  in 
our  lives  all  the  omens  are  propitious ; to-day 
the  bridal  party  drove  away  from  Tingvold  in 
glorious  spring  weather.  The  crowd  at  the 
church  was  so  great  that  no  one  remembered 
having  seen  the  like  of  it,  on  any  occasion. 
And  in  this  gathering  each  person  knew  the 
story  of  the  family,  and  its  connection  with 
the  Bridal  March  which  was  sounding  exult- 
antly in  the  sunshine  over  the  heads  of  bride 
and  bridegroom. 

And  because  they  were  all  thinking  of  the 
one  thing,  the  pastor  took  a text  for  his  address 
that  allowed  him  to  explain  how  our  children 
are  our  life’s  crown,  bearing  clear  witness  to 
our  honour,  our  development,  our  work. 

On  the  way  back  from  the  altar  Hans 
stopped  just  outside  the  church-door;  he  said 
something ; the  bride,  in  her  superhuman  happi- 
ness, did  not  hear  it ; but  she  felt  what  it  was. 
He  wished  her  to  look  at  Ole  Haugen’s  grave, 
115 


THE  BRIDAL  MARCH 


how  richly  clad  in  flowers  it  lay  to-day.  She 
looked,  and  they  passed  out  almost  touching 
his  headstone ; the  parents  following  them. 

The  other  incident  in  their  life  that  must 
be  recalled  is  the  visit  of  Endrid  and  Randi 
as  grandparents.  Hans  had  carried  out  his 
determination  that  they  were  to  live  at  Haugen, 
although  he  had  to  promise  that  he  would  take 
Tingvold  when  the  old  people  either  could  or 
would  no  longer  manage  it,  and  when  the  old 
grandmother  was  dead.  But  in  their  whole 
visit  there  is  only  one  single  thing  that  concerns 
us  here,  and  that  is  that  Randi,  after  a kind 
reception  and  good  entertainment,  when  she  was 
sitting  with  her  daughter's  child  on  her  knee, 
began  rocking  it  and  crooning  something — and 
what  she  crooned  was  the  Bridal  March.  Her 
daughter  clasped  her  hands  in  wonder  and 
delight,  but  controlled  herself  at  once  and  kept 
silence ; Hans  offered  Endrid  more  to  drink, 
which  he  declined ; but  this  was  on  both  sides 
only  an  excuse  for  exchanging  a look. 


Ii6 


ONE  DAY 


ONE  DAY 

CHAPTER  I 

Ella  was  generally  known  as  the  girl  with  the 
plait.  But,  thick  as  the  plait  was,  if  it  had 
belonged  to  any  one  less  shapely,  less  blonde,  less 
sprightly,  hardly  any  one  would  have  noticed 
it ; the  merry  life  which  it  led  behind  her  would 
have  passed  unobserved,  and  that,  although 
it  was  the  thickest  plait  which  any  one  in  the 
little  town  had  ever  boasted.  Perhaps  it  looked 
even  thicker  than  it  really  was,  because  Ella 
herself  was  little.  It  is  not  necessary  to  give 
its  exact  length,  but  it  reached  below  her  waist ; 
a long  way  below  it.  Its  colour  was  doubtful 
but  inclined  a little  to  red,  though  people  in  the 
119 


ONE  DAY 


town  generally  called  it  light,  and  we  will 
accept  their  dictum  without  going  into  the 
question  of  half-tones.  Her  face  was  noticeable 
for  its  white  skin,  pretty  shape,  and  classic 
profile ; she  had  a small,  full  mouth,  and  eyes  of 
unusual  frankness,  a trim  little  figure,  but  with 
rather  short  legs,  so  that  in  order  to  get  over 
the  ground  as  fast  as  it  was  her  nature  to  do, 
her  feet  had  to  move  very  quickly.  She  was 
quick,  indeed,  in  everything  which  she  under- 
took, and  that  no  doubt  was  why  the  plait  was 
busier  than  plaits  are  wont  to  be. 

Her  mother  was  the  widow  of  a government 
official,  had  a small  fortune  besides  her  pension, 
and  lived  in  her  own  little  house  opposite  the 
hotel  close  by  the  market.  She  was  an  un- 
assuming woman,  whose  husband  had  influenced 
her  in  everything ; he  had  been  her  pride,  her 
light,  and  when  she  lost  him,  the  object  of  her 
life  was  gone  ; she  became  absorbed  in  religion ; 
but,  as  she  was  not  dictatorial,  she  allowed  her 
only  child — who  much  resembled  her  father — 
to  follow  her  own  inclinations.  The  mother 


120 


ONE  DAY 


associated  with  no  one  except  an  elder  sister, 
who  owned  a large  farm  near  the  town,  but 
Ella  was  allowed  to  bring  in  her  companions 
from  school,  boating,  skating,  and  snow-shoeing  ; 
this,  however,  made  no  difference,  for  there  was  an 
instinctive  prudence  in  her  choice  of  friends ; her 
liveliness  was  tempered  by  her  mother^s  society 
and  the  quietness  of  the  house.  So  that  she 
was  active  and  expeditious  without  being  noisy, 
frank  enough,  but  with  self-command  and  heed- 
fulness. 

All  the  more  strange,  then,  was  an  incident 
which  occurred  when  she  was  between  fourteen 
and  fifteen.  She  had  gone  with  a few  friends 
to  a concert  which  the  Choral  Society  of  the 
town,  and  one  or  two  amateurs,  were  giving  in 
aid  of  the  Christmas  charities.  At  this  concert, 
Aksel  Aaro  sang  Mohring’s  Sleep  in  Peace.** 
As  every  one  knows,  a subdued  chorus  carries 
the  song  forward ; a flood  of  moonlight  seemed 
to  envelop  it,  and  through  it  swept  Aksel 
Aaro*s  voice.  His  voice  was  a clear,  full,  deep 
baritone,  from  which  every  one  derived  great 


I2I 


ONE  DAY 


pleasure.  He  could  have  drawn  it  out,  without 
break  or  flaw,  from  here  to  Vienna.  But 
within  this  voice  Ella  heard  another,  a simul- 
taneous sound  of  weakness  or  pain,  which 
she  never  doubted  that  everybody  could  hear. 
There  was  an  emotion  in  its  depths,  an  affecting 
confidence,  which  went  to  her  heart ; it  seemed 
to  say,  “Sorrow,  sorrow  is  the  portion  of  my 
life ; I cannot  help  myself,  I am  lost.”  Before 
she  herself  knew  it,  she  was  weeping  bitterly. 
Anything  more  impressive  than  this  voice  she 
had  never  experienced.  With  every  note  her 
agitation  increased,  and  she  lost  all  control  over 
herself. 

Aar5  was  of  moderate  height,  and  slender, 
with  a fair,  silky  beard,  which  hung  down  over 
his  chest ; his  head  was  small,  his  eyes  large 
and  melancholy,  with  something  in  their  depths 
which,  like  the  voice,  seemed  to  say  “Sorrow, 
sorrow.”  This  melancholy  in  the  eyes  she  had 
noticed  before,  but  had  not  fully  understood  it 
until  now,  when  she  heard  his  voice.  Her 
tears  would  flow.  But  this  would  not  do. 


122 


ONE  DAY 


She  glanced  quickly  round ; no  one  else  was 
crying.  She  set  her  teeth,  she  pressed  her  arms 
against  her  sides,  and  her  knees  together  till 
they  ached  and  trembled.  Why  in  the  world 
should  this  happen  to  her  and  to  no  one  else  ? 
She  put  her  handkerchief  to  her  lips,  and 
forced  herself  to  think  of  the  beam  of  light 
which  she  had  seen  flash  out  from  the  light- 
house and  disappear  again,  leaving  the  sea 
ghostly  in  the  darkness.  But  no  ! her  thoughts 
would  return ; they  would  not  be  controlled. 
Nothing  could  check  the  first  sob,  it  would 
break  out.  Before  all  the  astonished  eyes  she 
rose,  left  her  seat,  slipped  quietly  from  the  room 
and  got  away.  No  one  came  with  her ; no  one 
dared  to  be  seen  near  her. 

You  who  read  this,  do  you  realise  how  dreadful 
it  was  ? Have  you  been  to  such  a — I had 
nearly  written  silent — concert,  in  a Norwegian 
coast  town  of  somewhat  pietist  savour  ? Hardly 
any  men  are  present.  Either  music  is  not  to  the 
masculine  taste  in  the  coast  towns,  or  they  are 
in  some  other  part  of  the  club,  at  billiards,  or 


123 


ONE  DAY 


cards,  or  in  the  restaurant  drinking  punch,  or 
reading  the  papers.  Two  or  three  perhaps 
have  come  up  for  a moment,  and  stand  near  the 
door,  stand  like  those  to  whom  the  house 
belongs,  and  who  wish  to  have  a look  at  the 
strangers  ; or  there  really  are  one  or  two  men 
sitting  on  the  benches,  squeezed  in  among 
the  many  coloured  dresses,  or  else  a few 
specimens  are  seen  round  the  walls,  like  for- 
gotten overcoats. 

No  ! those  who  gather  at  the  concerts  are 
from  the  harems  of  the  place ; their  elder 
inhabitants  come  to  dream  again,  amidst  beauti- 
ful words  and  touching  music,  of  what  they  once 
persuaded  themselves  that  they  were,  and  what 
they  had  once  believed  was  awaiting  them.  It 
is  a harmless  passing  amusement.  In  the  main 
they  are  better  understood  up  above  than  here 
below,  so  that  if  a whiff  of  the  kitchen  or  a few 
household  worries  do  find  their  way  into  the 
dreams,  it  does  not  disturb  them.  The  younger 
denizens  of  the  harems  dream  that  they  are 
what  the  elders  once  believed  themselves,  and 


124 


ONE  DAY 


that  they  will  attain  at  least  to  something  of 
what  the  eldest  have  never  reached.  They  had 
gained  some  information  about  life.  In  one 
thing  old  and  young  resemble  each  other ; they 
are  practical  and  prosperous  by  descent.  They 
never  allow  their  thoughts  to  stray  very  far. 
They  know  quite  well  that  the  glow  which  they 
feel  as  they  listen  to  the  words  and  music  of 
great  minds  is  not  to  be  taken  too  seriously  ; it 
is  only  What  one  always  feels,  you  know.” 

When,  therefore,  one  among  them  took  this 
really  seriously  and  began  to  cry  about  it,  good 
gracious  ! In  private  it  was  called  foolery,” 
in  public  scandalous.” 

Ella  had  made  a spectacle  of  herself.  Her 
own  dismay  was  immeasurable.  No  girl  that 
she  knew  was  less  given  to  tears  than  herself ; 
that  she  was  certain  of.  She  had  as  great  a 
dread  as  any  one  of  being  looked  at,  or  talked 
about.  What  in  the  world  was  it  then  ? She 
was  fond  of  music,  certainly ; she  played  herself, 
but  she  did  not  believe  that  she  had  any  re- 
markable gift.  Why,  then,  should  she  especially 
125 


ONE  DAY 


have  been  overcome  by  his  song  ? What  must 
he  think  of  the  silly  girl  ? This  thought 
troubled  her  most,  and  on  this  point  she  dare 
not  confide  in  any  one.  Most  people  concluded 
that  she  had  been  ill,  and  she  actually  did  keep 
indoors  for  a few  days,  and  looked  pale  when 
she  reappeared.  Her  friends  teased  her  about 
it,  but  she  let  the  matter  drop. 

In  the  winter  there  were  several  children's 
dances,  one  of  which  was  at  Andresen's  at  the 
corner,”  and  Ella  was  there.  Just  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  second  quadrille,  she  heard 
whispered  ‘‘Aksel  Aaro,  Aksel  Aaro!”  and  there 
he  stood  at  the  door,  with  three  other  young 
fellows  behind  him.  The  hostess  was  his  elder 
sister.  The  four  had  come  up  from  a card 
party  to  look  on. 

Ella  felt  a thrill  of  delight,  and  at  the  same 
time  her  knees  threatened  to  give  way  under  her. 
She  could  neither  see,  nor  understand  clearly, 
but  she  felt  great  eyes  on  her.  She  was  en- 
grossed in  a fold  of  her  dress  which  did  not 

hang  properly,  when  he  stood  before  her  and 
126 


ONE  DAY 


said,  What  a beautiful  plait  you  have/'  His 
voice  seemed  to  sprinkle  it  with  gold-dust.  He 
put  out  his  hand  as  though  he  were  going  to 
touch  it,  but  instead  of  doing  so  he  stroked  his 
beard.  When  he  noticed  her  extreme  timidity, 
he  turned  away.  Several  times  during  the 
evening  she  felt  conscious  of  his  presence ; but 
he  did  not  come  up  to  her  again. 

The  other  men  took  part  in  the  dancing, 
but  Aaro  did  not  dance.  There  was  something 
about  him  which  she  thought  specially  charm- 
ing ; a reserved  air  of  distinction,  a polish  in 
his  address,  a deference  of  that  quiet  kind 
which  alone  could  have  appealed  to  her.  His 
walk  gave  the  impression  that  he  kept  half  his 
strength  in  reserve,  and  this  was  the  same  in 
everything.  He  was  tall,  but  not  broad- 
shouldered  ; the  small,  somewhat  narrow  head, 
set  on  a rather  long  neck.  She  had  never 
before  noticed  the  way  in  which  he  turned  his 
head.  She  felt  now  that  there  could  be  some- 
thing, yes,  almost  musical  about  it. 

The  room,  and  all  that  passed  in  it,  seemed  to 
127 


ONE  DAY 


float  in  light,  but  suddenly  this  light  was  gone. 
A little  later  she  heard  some  one  say,  “Where 
is  Aksel  Aaro  ? Has  he  left  ? ” 

Aard  was  not  at  home  for  very  long  that 
winter.  He  had  already  spent  two  years  at 
Havre,  from  which  place  he  had  recently  re- 
turned ; he  was  now  going  for  a couple  of 
years  to  Hull.  Before  this,  music  had  been 
a favourite  pursuit  with  Ella  ; she  had  especi- 
ally loved  and  studied  harmony,  but  from  this 
time  forward  she  devoted  herself  to  melody. 
All  music  had  given  her  pleasure  and  she  had 
made  some  progress  in  it ; but  now  it  became 
speech  to  her.  She  herself  spoke  in  it  or 
another  spoke  to  her.  Now,  whoever  she  was 
with,  there  was  always  one  as  well,  she  was 
never  alone  now,  not  in  the  street,  not  at  home; 
of  this  the  plait  was  the  sacred  symbol. 

In  the  course  of  the  spring  Fru  Holmbo  met 
Ella  in  the  street  as  she  was  coming  from  the 
pastor’s  house  with  her  prayer-book  in  her  hand. 

“ Are  you  going  to  be  confirmed  ? ” asked 
Fru  Holmbo, 


128 


ONE  DAY 


^‘Yes” 

have  a message  for  you;  can  you  guess 
from  whom  ? ” 

Now,  Fru  Holmbo  was  a friend  of  Aksel 
Aaro’s  sister  and  very  intimate  with  the  family. 
Ella  blushed  and  could  not  answer. 

''  I see  that  you  know  who  it  is  from/^  said 
Fru  Holmbo,  and  Ella  blushed  more  than  ever. 

With  a rather  superior  smile — and  the 
prettiest  lady  in  the  town  had  a superabundance 
of  them — she  said,  Aksel  Aaro  is  not  fond  of 
writing.  We  have  only  just  received  his  first 
letter  since  he  left ; but  in  it  he  writes  that 
when  we  see  ' the  girl  with  the  plait,’  we  are 
to  remember  him  to  her.  ‘ She  cried  at 
Mohring’s  song ; other  people  might  have  done 
so  too,’  ” he  wrote. 

The  tears  sprang  to  Ella’s  eyes. 

‘‘  No,  no,”  said  Fru  Holmbo  consolingly, 
there  is  no  harm  in  that.” 


I2g 


I 


CHAPTER  II 

Two  years  later,  in  the  course  of  the  winter, 
Ella  was  coming  quickly  up  from  the  ice  with 
her  skates  in  her  hand.  She  wore  her  new 
tight-fitting  jacket  for  the  first  time  ; in  fact,  it 
was  principally  this  jacket  which  had  tempted 
her  out.  The  plait  hung  jauntily  down  from 
under  her  grey  cap.  It  was  longer  and  thicker 
than  ever ; it  throve  wonderfully. 

As  usual,  she  went  round  by  ^^Andresen^s  at 
the  corner.^^  To  see  the  house  was  enough. 
Just  as  her  eyes  rested  on  it,  Aksel  Aaro 
appeared  in  the  doorway.  He  came  slowly 
down  the  steps.  He  was  at  home  again  ! His 
fair  beard  lay  on  the  dark  fur  of  his  coat,  a fur 
cap  covered  his  low  forehead  and  came  down 
almost  to  his  eyes ; those  large,  attractive  eyes. 


130 


ONE  DAY 


They  looked  at  one  another ; they  had  to  meet 
and  pass ; he  smiled  as  he  raised  his  cap,  and 
she — stood  still  and  curtseyed,  like  a schoolgirl 
in  a short  frock.  For  two  years  she  had  not 
dropped  a curtsey,  or  done  otherwise  than  bow 
like  a grown-up  person.  Short  people  are 
most  particular  about  this  privilege;  but  to  him, 
before  whom  she  specially  wished  to  appear 
grown-up,  she  had  stood  still  and  curtseyed  as 
when  he  had  last  seen  her.  Occupied  by  this 
mishap  she  rushed  into  another.  She  said 
to  herself,  Do  not  look  round,  keep  yourself 
stiff,  do  not  look  round  ; do  you  hear  ? But  at 
the  corner,  just  as  she  was  turning  away  from 
him,  she  did  look  back  for  all  that,  and  saw 
him  do  the  same.  From  that  moment  there 
were  no  other  people,  no  houses,  no  time  or 
place.  She  did  not  know  how  she  got  home,  or 
why  she  lay  crying  on  her  bed,  with  her  face  in 
the  pillow. 

A fortnight  later,  there  was  a large  party  at 
the  club,  in  honour  of  Aksel  Aaro.  Every  one 
wished  to  be  there,  every  one  wished  to  bid 


ONE  DAY 


their  popular  friend  welcome  home.  He  had 
been  greatly  missed.  They  had  heard  from 
Hull  how  indispensable  he  had  by  degrees 
become  in  society  there.  If  his  voice  had  had 
a greater  compass — it  did  not  comprise  a large 
range  of  notes — he  would  have  obtained  an 
engagement  at  Her  Majesty^s  Theatre ; so  it  was 
said  over  there.  At  this  ball,  the  Choral  Society 
— his  old  Choral  Society — would  again  sing  with 
him. 

Ella  was  there ; she  came  too  early — only 
four  people  before  her.  She  trembled  with  ex- 
pectancy in  the  empty  rooms  and  passages, 
but  more  especially  in  the  hall  where  she  had 
made  a spectacle  of  herself.^’  She  wore  a red 
ball-dress,  without  any  ornaments  or  flowers  ; 
this  was  by  her  mother’s  wish.  She  feared  that 
she  had  betrayed  herself  by  coming  so  early,^ 
and  remained  alone  in  a side  room  ; she  did  not 
appear  until  the  rooms  had  been  fully  lighted,  and 
the  perfume,  the  buzz  of  voices,  and  the  tuning 
of  instruments  lured  her  in.  Ella  was  so  short, 
that  when  she  came  into  the  crowd,  she  had 


132 


ONE  DAY 


not  seen  Aksel  Aaro  when  she  heard  several 
whispers  of  There  he  is,*  and  some  one  added, 
‘‘  He  is  coming  towards  us.”  It  was  Fru 
Holmbo  for  whom  he  was  looking,  and  to  whom 
he  bowed ; but  just  behind  her  stood  Ella. 
When  she  felt  that  she  was  discovered,  the  bud 
blushed  rosier  than  its  calyx.  He  left  Fru 
Holmbo  at  once. 

Good  evening,”  he  said  very  softly,  hold- 
ing out  his  hand,  which  Ella  took  without  look- 
ing up.  *^Good  evening,”  he  said  again,  still 
more  softly,  and  drew  nearer. 

She  was  aware  of  a gentle  pressure  and  had 
to  raise  her  eyes.  They  conveyed  a bashful 
message  half  confident,  half  timid.  It  was  a 
rapid  glance,  by  which  no  one  was  enlightened 
or  scandalised.  He  looked  down  at  her,  while 
he  stroked  his  beard,  but  either  because  he  had 
nothing  more  to  say — he  was  not  talkative — or 
that  he  could  not  say  what  he  wished  ; he  became 
absolutely  silent.  In  the  quiet  way  which  was 
peculiar  to  him  he  turned  and  left  her.  He  was 
seized  on  at  once  by  his  friends,  and  for  the  rest 


133 


ONE  DAY 


of  the  evening  she  only  saw  him  now  and  again, 
and  always  at  a distance. 

He  did  not  dance,  but  she  did.  Everybody 
said  how  sweet  she  was  (it  was  said  with  all 
respect) ; and  that  evening  she  really  did  beam 
with  happiness.  In  whatever  part  of  the 
room  Aksel  Aaro  chanced  to  be,  she  felt  con- 
scious of  his  presence,  felt  a secret  delight  in 
whirling  past  him.  His  eyes  followed  her,  his 
nearness  made  all  and  everything  resplendent. 

Standing  in  the  doorway  was  a heavy,  sturdy 
fellow,  who  had  constituted  himself  the  critic  of 
the  assemblage.  He  appeared  to  be  between 
thirty  and  forty ; nearer  the  latter ; he  had  a 
weather-beaten,  coarsely-moulded,  but  spirited 
face,  black  hair,  and  hazel  eyes ; his  figure 
approached  the  gigantic.  Every  one  in  the 
room  knew  him ; Hjalmar  Olsen,  the  fearless 
commander  of  one  of  the  largest  steamers. 

He  scanned  the  dancers  as  they  passed  him, 
but  gave  the  palm  to  the  little  one  in  the  red 
dress ; she  was  the  pleasantest  to  look  at  : not 
only  was  she  a fine  girl,  but  her  buoyant  happi- 
134 


ONE  DAY 


ness  seemed  to  infect  him.  When  Aksel  Aaro 
approached,  Hjalmar  Olsen  received  a share  of 
the  love  glances  which  streamed  from  her  eyes. 
She  danced  every  dance.  Hjalmar  Olsen  was 
tall  enough  to  catch  glimpses  of  her  in  all 
parts  of  the  room.  She  also  noticed  him ; he 
soon  became  a lighthouse  in  her  voyage,  but 
a lighthouse  which  interested  itself  in  the  ships. 
Thus  he  now  felt  that  she  was  in  danger  so 
near  to  Peter  Klausson’s  waistcoat.  He  knew 
Peter  Klausson. 

Her  tiny  feet  tripped  a waltz,  while  the  plait 
kept  up  an  accompanying  polka.  Certainly 
Peter  Klausson  did  press  her  too  close  to  his 
waistcoat ! 

Olsen  therefore  sought  her  out  as  soon  as  the 
waltz  was  over,  but  it  was  not  so  easy  to  secure 
a dance  ; a waltz  was  the  first  one  for  which 
she  was  free,  and  she  gave  him  that.  Just 
?ras  this  was'  arranged,  every  one  pressed  towards 
the  platform,  on  which  the  Choral  Society  now 
appeared.  Ella  felt  herself  hopelessly  little 
when  they  all  rushed  forward  and  packed  them- 


135 


ONE  DAY 


selves  together.  Hjalmar  Olsen,  who  saw  her 
vain  attempts  to  obtain  a peep,  offered  to  lift 
her  up  on  to  the  bench  which  ran  along  the 
wall,  by  which  they  were  standing.  She  dare 
not  agree  to  this,  but  he  saw  that  others  were 
mounting  the  bench,  and  before  she  could  prevent 
it,  she  was  up  there  too.  Almost  at  the  same 
moment  Aksel  Aaro  came  in  among  his  com- 
panions and  was  received  with  the  most  energetic 
hand-clapping  by  all  his  friends — men  as  well  as 
women.  He  bowed  politely  though  somewhat 
coldly,  but  the  expressions  of  welcome  did  not 
cease  until  his  companions  drew  back  a little, 
while  he  came  forward.  First  of  all,  the  Society 
gave  one  of  its  older  songs.  He  kept  his 
voice  on  a level  with  the  others,  which  was 
considered  in  very  good  taste.  After  this  the 
conductor  took  his  seat  at  the  piano,  to 
accompany  a song  which  Aaro  wished  to 
give  alone.  The  song  was  a composition 
of  Selmer  and  much  in  fashion  at  the  capital. 
It  could  be  sung  by  men  as  well  as  women, 
only  in  the  last  verse  her  had  to  be  substituted 

136 


ONE  DAY 


for  his.  Here  it  had  never  been  heard 
before. 

During  the  first  song  Aaro  had  searched  the 
room  with  his  eyes,  and,  from  the  moment  when 
he  discovered  where  Ella  stood,  he  had  kept  them 
fixed  there.  Now  he  placed  himself  near  the 
piano,  and  during  the  song  he  continued  to  look 
in  her  direction.  As  he  sang,  his  melancholy 
eyes  lighted  up ; his  figure  grew  plastic. 

I sing  to  one,  to  only  one 
Of  all  the  listening  throng  ; 

To  one  alone  is  fully  known 
The  meaning  of  my  song. 

Lend  power,  ye  listeners,  to  each  word. 

But  for  that  only  one 
Who  in  me  woke  sweet  music’s  chord 
My  song  had  ne’er  been  sung. 

Though  deviously  the  path  may  run, 

Passing  through  all  hearts  here. 

Yet  still  is  it  the  only  one 
Which  to  one  heart  is  near. 

Strengthen,  oh,  loving  hearts,  my  song, 

So  that  it  still  may  swell 
Through  all  love’s  choir ; the  only  one 
That  in  her  heart  may  dwell. 

His  voice  was  captivating  ; no  one  had  ever 
listened  to  such  a love-message.  This  time  many 
137 


ONE  DAY 


beside  Ella  had  tears  in  their  eyes.  When  the 
song  ended,  they  all  remained  waiting  for  some 
moments,  as  though  expecting  another  verse  ; 
and  there  was  a short  silence,  but  then  applause 
broke  forth  such  as  had  never  been  heard.  They 
wanted  to  have  the  song  again,  but  no  one  had 
yet  known  Aksel  Aaro  to  sing  anything  twice 
running  ; so  they  relinquished  the  idea. 

Ella  had  never  heard  the  song  ; neither  words 
nor  music.  When,  with  his  eyes  turned  in  her 
direction,  he  had  begun  to  sing,  she  felt  as 
though  she  should  fall;  such  unheard-of  boldness 
she  had  never  imagined.  That  he,  otherwise  so 
considerate,  should  sing  this  across  to  her,  so 
that  all  could  hear ! White  as  the  wall  against 
which  she  leaned  for  support,  she  suffered  such 
anguish  of  mind,  that  she  looked  round  for  help. 
Immediately  behind  her,  on  the  same  bench, 
stood  Fru  Holmbo,  magnetised,  beautiful  as  a 
statue.  She  no  more  saw  Ella’s  distress  than 
she  did  the  clock  in  the  market-place.  This 
absolute  indifference  calmed  her,  she  recovered 
her  self-possession.  The  neighbourhood  of  the 
138 


ONE  DAY 


others,  which  had  been  so  terrible  to  her,  was  of 
no  consequence,  so  long  as  they  did  not  perceive 
anything.  She  could  listen  now  without  distress. 
More  covertly,  more  charmingly,  he  could  not 
have  spoken,  notwithstanding  that  every  one 
heard  it.  If  only  he  had  not  looked  at  her ! If 
only  she  had  been  able  to  hide  herself! 

As  soon  as  the  last  notes  ceased,  she  jumped 
down  from  the  bench.  Among  all  the  shoulders 
her  shyness  returned — her  happy  dream,  her 
secret  in  its  bridal  attire.  What  was  it  that  had 
happened  ? What  would  happen  next  ? All 
round  her  were  sparkling  eyes,  applauding  voices, 
clapping  hands — was  it  not  as  though  they 
lighted  torches  in  his  honour,  paid  him  homage 
— was  not  all  this  in  her  honour  as  well  ? 

Dancing  began  again  at  once,  and  off  she  went. 
Off  as  though  all  were  done  for  her,  or  as  though 
she  were  the  **  only  one ! Her  partners 
tried,  one  after  another,  to  talk  to  her,  but  in 
vain.  She  only  laughed,  laughed  in  their  faces, 
as  though  they  were  mad,  and  she  alone  under- 
stood the  state  of  the  case. 


139 


ONE  DAY 


She  danced,  beamed,  laughed,  from  one 
partner  to  another.  So  when  Olsen  got  his 
waltz  it  was  as  though  he  were  received  with  a 
score  of  fresh  bouquets  and  a “ Long  live 
Hjalmar  Olsen  ! He  was  more  than  flattered. 
When  she  laid  her  white  arm  on  his  black  coat 
he  felt  that  at  the  bottom  he  was  as  unworthy  as 
Peter  Klausson.  He  certainly  would  not  sully 
her,  he  held  her  punctiliously  away  from  him. 
When  he  fancied  that  she  was  laughing,  and 
wished  to  see  the  little  creature’s  merry  face,  down 
there  near  his  waistcoat,  and  in  the  endeavour 
to  do  so,  thought  that  he  had  been  indiscreet, 
Hjalmar  Olsen  felt  ashamed  of  himself,  and 
danced  on  with  his  eyes  staring  straight  before 
him,  like  a sleep-walker.  He  danced  on  in  a 
dream  of  self-satisfaction  and  transport.  Ella 
tried  now  and  then  to  touch  the  floor ; she 
wished  to  have  at  least  some  certainty  that  she 
was  keeping  time.  Impossible ! He  took  charge 
at  once,  of  himself,  her  dance  and  his,  her  time 
and  his,  she  never  got  near  the  floor  without  an 
effort,  all  the  rest  was  an  aerial  flight.  He  could 
140 


ONE  DAY 


hear  her  laughing  and  was  pleased  that  she  was 
enjoying  it,  but  he  did  not  look  at  her.  Those 
with  whom  he  came  into  collision  were  less 
pleased,  which  was  their  affair.  He  was  greatly 
put  out  when  the  music  ceased  ; they  were  only 
just  getting  into  swing,  but  he  was  obliged 
to  put  her  down  at  the  compulsory  stopping- 
place. 

Shortly  afterwards  there  was  some  more 
singing,  first  by  the  Society  alone,  then  they  and 
Aaro  together  sang  Grieg^s  '‘Landfall.’^  Finally, 
Aaro  sang  to  a piano  accompaniment.  This 
time  Ella  had  hidden  herself  among  those  at  the 
back,  but  as  they  constantly  pressed  forward  she 
remained  standing  alone.  This  exactly  suited 
her;  she  saw  him,  but  he  did  not  see  her, 
nor  even  look  towards  the  place  where  she  was 
standing. 

She  had  never  heard  this  song,  did  not  even 
know  that  it  existed,  although  when  the  first 
words  were  heard  it  was  evident  that  it  was 
known  to  the  others.  Of  course  she  knew  that 
each  word  and  note  were  his,  but  as  he  had 


ONE  DAY 


before  chosen  a story  which  would  only  reach  the 
one  to  whom  he  wished  to  sing,  she  did  not  doubt 
that  it  was  the  same  now.  The  first  words,  **  My 
young  love’s  veiled,”  could  there  be  a truer 
picture  of  concealed  love  ? Once  more  it  was  for 
her ! That  the  veil  should  be  lifted  but  for  him 
and  dropped  as  soon  as  any  one  else  could  see. 
Was  not  that  as  it  must  be  between  them  ? 
That  love’s  secrecy  is  like  a sacred  place,  that  in 
it  is  hidden  earth’s  highest  happiness.  She 
trembled  as  she  recognised  it.  The  music 
swept  the  words  over  her  like  ice-cold  water, 
this  perfect  comprehension  made  her  shiver,  with 
fear  and  joy  at  the  same  time.  No  one  saw  her, 
that  was  her  safeguard.  She  dreaded  every  fresh 
word  before  it  came,  and  each  one  again  made 
her  shiver.  With  her  arms  pressed  against  her 
breast,  her  head  bowed  over  her  hands,  she 
stood  and  trembled  as  though  waves  surged  over 
her.  And  when  the  second  verse  came  with  the 
line,  ^‘The  greatest  joy  this  world  can  give,” 
and  especially  when  it  was  repeated,  her  tears 
would  well  forth,  as  they  had  done  once  before. 


142 


ONE  DAY 


She  checked  them  with  all  her  might,  but  remem- 
bering how  little  it  had  helped  her  then,  her 
powers  of  resistance  gave  way,  she  was  almost 
sobbing  when  the  very  word  was  used  in  the 
song.  The  coincidence  was  too  superb,  it  swept 
all  emotion  aside,  she  could  have  laughed  aloud 
instead.  She  was  sure  of  everything,  every- 
thing now.  It  thus  happened  that  the  last  line 
in  its  literal  sense,  in  its  jubilant  sympathy,  came 
to  her  like  a flash  of  lightning,  like  the  stab  of 
a knife.  The  song  ran  thus  : 

My  young  love’s  veiled  to  all  but  me, 

No  eyes  save  mine  those  eyes  may  see, 

Which,  while  to  others  all  unknown. 

Command,  melt,  beam  for  me  alone. 

Down  falls  the  veil,  would  others  see. 

In  every  good,  where  two  are  one, 

A twofold  holiness  doth  reign ; 

The  greatest  joy  this  world  can  give 
Is  when  earth’s  long  desires  shall  live. 

When  two  as  soul  to  soul  are  born  again. 

Why  must  my  love  then  veiled  be  ? 

Why  sobs  she  piteous,  silently. 

As  though  her  heart  must  break  for  love  ? 

Because  that  veil  from  pain  is  wove. 

And  all  our  joy  in  yearning  need  we  see. 

Startling,  deafening  applause ! They  must, 


143 


ONE  DAY 


they  would  have  the  song  again,  this  time  Aaro’s 
haughty  opposition  should  be  useless  ; but  he 
would  not  give  way,  and  at  last  some  of  the 
audience  gave  up  the  attempt,  though  others 
continued  insistent. 

During  this  interval  several  ladies  escaped 
out  of  the  crowd  : they  passed  near  Ella. 

**  Did  you  see  Fru  Holmbo,  how  she  hid  her- 
self and  cried  ? 

Yes,  but  did  you  see  her  during  the  first 
song  ? Up  on  the  bench  ? It  was  to  her  that 
he  was  singing  the  whole  time.’’ 

Not  long  afterwards — it  might  have  been  about 
two  in  the  morning — a little  cloaked  figure  flew 
along  the  streets.  By  her  hood  and  wraps  the 
watchman  judged  that  she  must  be  one  of  the 
ladies  from  the  ball.  They  generally  had  some 
one  with  them,  but  the  ball  was  not  over  yet. 
Something  had  evidently  happened ; she  was 
going  so  quickly  too. 

It  was  Ella.  She  passed  near  the  deserted 
Town  Hall,  which  was  now  used  as  a warehouse. 
The  outer  walls  still  remained,  but  the  beautiful 


144 


ONE  DAY 


interior  wood-work  had  been  sold  and  removed. 
That  is  how  it  is  with  me,  thought  Ella.  She 
flew  along  as  fast  as  she  could,  onward  to  sleep- 
less nights  and  joyless  days. 

In  the  course  of  the  morning  Aksel  Aaro  was 
carried  home  by  his  companions,  dead  drunk. 
By  some  it  was  maintained  that  he  had  swallowed 
a tumbler  of  whisky  in  the  belief  that  it  was 
beer;  others  said  that  he  was  a ‘‘bout  drinker.’* 
He  had  long  been  so  but  had  concealed  it. 
Those  are  called  “ bout-drinkers  *’  who  at  long 
intervals  seem  impelled  to  drink.  His  father  had 
been  so  before  him. 

A few  days  later  Aksel  Aaro  went  quietly  off 
to  America. 


145 


K 


CHAPTER  III 


Another  of  those  who  had  been  at  the  ball, 
steamed  about  the  same  time  across  the  Atlantic. 
This  was  Hjalmar  Olsen. 

His  ship  experienced  a continuous  north- 
westerly gale,  and  the  harder  it  blew,  the  more 
grog  he  drank ; but  as  he  did  so  he  was 
astonished  to  find  that  a memory  of  the  ball 
constantly  rose  before  him — the  little  rosy  red 
one;  the  girl  with  the  plait.  Hjalmar  Olsen 
was  of  opinion  that  he  had  conducted  himself 
in  a very  gentleman-like  manner  towards  her. 
At  first  this  did  not  very  much  occupy  his 
thoughts ; he  had  been  twice  engaged  already, 
and  each  time  it  had  been  broken  off.  If  he 
engaged  himself  a third  time  he  must  marry  at 
once.  He  had  formed  this  determination  often 


ONE  DAY 


before,  but  he  did  not  really  think  very  seriously 
about  it„ 

A steamer  is  not  many  days  between 
ports,  and  at  each  there  is  plenty  of  amuse- 
ment. He  went  to  New  York,  from  there  to 
New  Orleans,  thence  to  Brazil  and  back,  once 
again  to  Brazil,  finally  returning  direct  to 
England  and  Norway.  But  often  during  the 
voyage,  and  especially  over  a glass  of  punch, 
he  recalled  the  girl  with  the  plait.  How  she 
had  looked  at  him.  It  did  him  good  only  to 
think  of  it.  He  was  not  very  fond  of  letter- 
writing, or  perhaps  he  would  have  written  to 
her.  But  when  he  arrived  at  Christiania,  and 
heard  from  a friend  that  her  mother  was  dying, 
he  thought  at  once : I shall  certainly  go  and 
see  her ; she  will  think  it  very  good  of  me,  if  I 
do  so  just  now.'* 

Two  days  later  he  was  sitting  before  her  in  the 
parlour  of  the  little  house  near  the  hotel  and  market- 
place. His  large  hands,  black  with  hair  and  sun- 
burn, stroked  his  knees  as  he  stooped  smilingly 
forward  and  asked  if  she  would  have  him. 


147 


ONE  DAY 


She  sat  lower  than  he  did  ; her  full  figure 
and  plump  arms  were  set  off  by  a brown  dress, 
which  he  stared  down  on  when  he  did  not  look 
into  her  pale  face.  She  felt  each  movement  of 
his  eyes.  She  had  come  from  the  other  room, 
and  from  thoughts  of  death;  she  heard  a little 
cuckoo  clock  upstairs  announce  that  it  was 
seven  o’clock,  and  the  little  thing  reminded  her 
of  all  that  was  now  past.  One  thing  with 
another  made  her  turn  from  him  with  tears  in 
her  eyes  as  she  said,  I cannot  possibly  think  of 
such  things  now.”  She  rose  and  walked  towards 
her  flowers  in  the  window. 

He  was  obliged  to  rise  also.  Perhaps  she 
will  answer  me  presently,”  he  thought ; and  this 
belief  gave  him  words,  awkward  perhaps,  but 
fairly  plain. 

She  only  shook  her  head  and  did  not  look  up. 

He  walked  off  in  a rage,  and  when  he  turned 
and  looked  at  the  house  again — the  little  doll’s 
house — he  longed  to  throw  it  bodily  into  the  sea. 

He  spent  the  evening,  while  waiting  for  the 
steamer  to  Christiania,  with  Peter  Klausson  and 

148 


ONE  DAY 


a few  friends,  and  it  was  not  long  before  they 
discovered  on  what  errand  he  had  been,  and 
how  he  had  sped.  They  knew,  too,  how  he 
had  fared  on  former  occasions.  The  amount 
which  Hjalmar  Olsen  drank  was  in  proportion 
to  his  chagrin ; and  the  next  morning  he  awoke 
on  board  the  steamer  in  a deplorable  condition. 

Not  long  afterwards  Ella  received  a well- 
written  letter  of  excuse,  in  which  he  explained 
that  his  coming  at  that  time  had  been  well 
meant,  and  that  it  was  only  when  he  was  there 
that  he  realised  how  foolish  it  had  been.  She 
must  not  be  vexed  with  him  for  it.  In  the 
course  of  a month  she  again  received  a letter. 
He  hoped  that  she  had  forgiven  him ; he  for 
his  part  [could  not  forget  her.  There  was 
nothing  more  added.  Ella  was  pleased  with 
both  the  letters.  They  were  well  expressed 
and  they  showed  constancy ; but  it  never 
occurred  to  her  for  a moment  that  this  in- 
direct offer  could  be  received  in  any  other  way 
than  before. 

She  had  gone  to  Christiania  in  order  to 


149 


ONE  DAY 


perfect  herself  in  the  piano  and  in  book-keeping. 
She  added  the  latter  because  she  had  always 
had  a turn  for  arithmetic.  She  felt  altogether 
unsettled.  Her  mother  was  dead ; she  had 
inherited  the  house  and  a small  fortune,  and 
she  wanted  to  try  and  help  herself.  She  did 
not  associate  with  any  one  in  the  strange  town. 
She  was  used  to  dreaming  and  making  plans 
without  a confidant. 

From  Aksel  Aaro  came  wonderful  tidings. 
After  he  had  sung  before  a large  party  in  New 
York  a wealthy  old  man  had  invited  him  to 
come  and  see  him,  and  since  then  they  had 
lived  together  like  father  and  son.  So  the 
story  ran  in  the  town  long  before  there  came 
a letter  from  Aaro  himself ; but  when  it  arrived, 
it  entirely  confirmed  the  rumour.  It  was  after 
this  that  Ella  received  a third  letter  from 
Hjalmar  Olsen.  He  asked  in  respectful  terms 
if  she  would  take  it  amiss  if  he  were  to  pay  her 
a visit  when  he  came  home : he  knew  where 
she  was  living.  Before  she  had  arrived  at 

a conclusion  as  to  how  she  should  answer, 
150 


ONE  DAY 


a paragraph  appeared  in  all  the  Norwegian 
papers,  copied  from  the  American  ones,  giving 
an  account  of  how  Hjalmar  Olsen,  in  the  teeth 
of  a gale,  and  at  the  risk  of  his  own  ship,  had 
saved  the  passengers  and  crew  of  an  ocean 
steamer,  the  propeller  of  which  had  been  injured 
off  the  American  coast.  Two  steamers  had 
passed  without  daring  to  render  assistance, 
the  weather  was  so  terrific.  Olsen  had  re- 
mained by  the  vessel  for  twenty- four  hours. 
It  was  a wonderful  deed  which  he  had  done. 
In  New  York,  and  subsequently  when  he  arrived 
in  Liverpool,  he  had  been  feted  at  the  Sailors* 
Clubs,  and  been  presented  with  medals  and 
addresses.  When  he  arrived  in  Christiania, 
he  was  received  with  the  highest  honours. 
Big  and  burly  as  he  was,  he  easily  obtained 
the  homage  of  the  populace : they  always  love 
large  print. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  he  sought  out  Ella. 
She  had  hidden  herself  away ; she  had  but  a 
poor  opinion  of  herself  since  her  discomfiture. 
In  her  imagination  he  had  assumed  almost  un- 
151 


ONE  DAY 


natural  proportions,  and  when  he  came  and  took 
her  out  with  him,  she  felt  as  though  she  had 
once  more  exchanged  the  close  atmosphere  of 
the  house  for  free  air  and  sunshine.  She  even 
felt  something  of  her  old  self-confidence.  His 
feelings  for  her  were  the  same ; that  she 
noticed  at  once,  as  she  studied  him.  He  knew 
the  forms  of  society,  and  could  pay  attention 
and  render  homage  with  dignity ; he  refrained 
from  any  premature  speech.  She  had  heard 
that  he  was  prone  to  take  a glass  too  much,  but 
she  saw  nothing  in  that.  A handsome  fellow,  a 
man  such  as  one  seldom  sees,  a little  weather- 
beaten perhaps,  but  most  sailors  are  the  same. 
Something  undefined  in  his  eyes  frightened  her, 
as  did  his  greediness  at  table.  Sometimes  she 
was  startled  at  the  vehemence  of  his  opinions. 
If  only  she  had  been  at  home,  and  could  have 
made  inquiries  beforehand ! But  he  was  to 
leave  very  soon,  and  had  said  jestingly  that  the 
next  time  that  he  proposed,  he  would  be  be- 
trothed and  married  all  at  once.  This  plain- 
speaking  and  precipitation  pleased  her,  not  less 


152 


ONE  DAY 


than  his  energy  and  authoritative  manner,  although 
she  felt  frightened — frightened,  and  at  the  same 
time  flattered,  that  so  much  energy  and  authori- 
tativeness should  bow  before  her,  and  that  at  a 
time  when  all  paid  court  to  him. 

Then  an  idea,  which  she  thought  very  sensible, 
occurred  to  her.  She  would,  in  the  event  of  an 
offer,  impose  two  conditions : she  must  retain 
the  control  of  her  own  property,  and  never  be 
forced  to  accompany  him  on  his  voyages.  In 
case  his  energy  and  tone  of  authority  should 
chance  to  become  intractable  a limit  was  thus 
set,  and  she  would,  from  the  outset,  make  him 
comprehend  that,  little  as  she  was,  she  knew 
how  to  protect  both  herself  and  her  posses- 
sions. 

When  the  offer  came — it  was  made  in  a box 
at  the  theatre — she  had  not  courage  sufficient  to 
make  her  stipulation.  His  expression  filled  her 
with  horror — for  the  first  time.  She  often 
thought  of  it  afterwards.  Instead  of  acting 
upon  this  intuitive  perception,  she  began  to 
speculate  on  what  would  happen  if  she  were 


153 


ONE  DAY 


again  to  say  No  ! She  had  accepted  his  friend- 
ship although  she  knew  what  was  coming.  The 
conditions,  the  conditions — they  should  settle 
it ! If  he  accepted  them,  it  should  be  as  he 
wished,  and  then  there  could  be  no  possible 
danger.  So  she  wrote  and  propounded  them. 

He  came  the  next  day  and  asked  for  the 
necessary  papers,  so  that  he  could  himself 
arrange  both  about  the  property  and  the  con- 
tract. He  evidently  looked  upon  it  as  a matter 
of  business,  and  seemed  thoroughly  pleased. 

Three  days  later  they  were  married.  It  was 
an  imposing  ceremony,  and  there  was  a large  con- 
course ; it  had  been  announced  in  all  the  papers. 

Demonstrations  of  admiration  and  respect 
followed,  much  parade  and  many  speeches, 
mingled  with  witticisms  over  his  size  and  her 
smallness.  This  lasted  from  five  in  the  evening 
till  after  midnight,  in  rather  mixed  company. 
As  time  wore  on,  and  the  champagne  continu- 
ally flowed,  many  of  the  guests  became  boisterous 
and  somewhat  intrusive,  and  among  them  the 
bridegroom. 


154 


ONE  DAY 


The  next  morning,  at  seven  clock,  Ella  sat 
dressed  and  alone,  in  a room  next  to  their  bed- 
room, the  door  of  w'hich  stood  open.  From  it 
she  could  hear  her  husband^s  snores.  She  sat 
there  still  and  deadly  pale,  without  tears  and 
without  feeling.  She  divided  the  occurrences 
into  two — what  had  happened  and  what  had  been 
said ; what  had  been  said  and  what  had  hap- 
pened : she  did  not  know  which  was  the  worst. 
This  man’s  longing  had  been  inflamed  by  deadly 
hate.  From  the  time  that  she  had  said  No  ! he 
had  made  it  the  object  of  his  life  to  force  her 
to  say  Yes ! He  told  her  that  she  should  pay 
for  having  nearly  made  him  ridiculous  a third 
time.  She  should  pay  for  it  all — she,  who  had 
dared  to  make  insulting  conditions.  He  would 
break  the  neck  of  her  conditions  like  a shrimp. 
Let  her  try  to  refuse  to  go  on  board  with  him, 
or  attempt  to  control  anything  herself. 

Then  that  which  had  happened.  A fly  caught 
in  a spider’s  web,  that  was  what  she  thought  of. 

But  had  she  not  experienced  such  a feeling 
once  before  ? O God,  the  night  of  the  ball ! 
155 


ONE  DAY 


She  had  a vague  feeling  that  that  night  had  fore- 
doomed her  to  this ; but  she  could  not  make  it 
clear  to  herself.  On  the  other  hand,  she  asked 
herself  if  what  we  fail  in  has  not  a greater 
influence  on  our  lives  than  that  which  we 
succeed  in. 

Three  or  four  hours  after  this,  Hjalmar  Olsen 
sat  at  the  breakfast-table ; he  was  dull  and 
silent,  but  perfectly  polite,  as  though  nothing 
had  happened.  Perhaps  he  had  been  too  drunk 
to  be  quite  accountable,  or  it  might  be  that  his 
politeness  was  calculated  with  the  hope  of 
inducing  her  to  come  with  him  and  visit  his 
ship.  He  asked  her  to  do  so,  as  he  left  the 
table,  but  neither  promises  nor  threats  could 
induce  her  to  go  on  board  even  for  the  shortest 
time.  Her  terror  saved  her. 

Some  months  later  an  announcement  appeared 
in  the  papers  that  she  wished  to  take  pupils 
both  for  the  piano  and  book-keeping.  She  was 
once  more  living  in  her  own  little  house  in  her 
native  town.  She  was  at  this  time  enciente. 

One  day  an  old  friend  of  Aksel  Aaro’s  came  to 
156 


ONE  DAY 


see  her ; he  was  to  remember  Aarc)  very  kindly 
to  her,  and  to  congratulate  her  on  her  marriage. 
She  controlled  her  rising  emotion,  and  asked 
quietly  how  he  was  getting  on.  Most  wonder- 
fully ; he  was  still  living  with  the  same  old  man, 
to  whom,  by  degrees,  he  had  entirely  devoted 
himself.  This  was  the  very  thing  for  Aar5  : it 
suited  him  to  devote  himself  completely  to  one 
person.  He  had  gone  through  a course  of  treat- 
ment for  his  inherited  failing  and  believed  him- 
self to  be  cured. 

And  how  is.  Fru  Holmbo  ? ” asked  Ella. 
She  was  frightened  when  she  had  said  it,  but 
she  felt  an  intense  bitterness  which  would  break 
out.  She  had  noticed  how  thin  and  pale  Fru 
Holmbo  looked — she  evidently  missed  Aaro,  and 
that  was  too  much  ! 

The  friend  smiled:  ^‘Oh!  have  you  heard 
that  silly  rumour  ? No,  Aksel  Aaro  was  only 
the  medium  between  her  and  the  man  to  whom 
she  was  secretly  attached.  The  two  friends  had 
lived  together  abroad.  Some  months  ago  there 
had  been  a talk  about  a business  journey  to 
157 


ONE  DAY 


Copenhagen,  and  Fru  Holmbo  went  there  also. 
But  there  had  undoubtedly  been  something 
between  them  for  a long  time.” 

That  night  Ella  wept  for  a long  time  before 
she  fell  asleep.  She  lay  and  stroked  her  plait, 
which  she  had  drawn  on  to  her  bosom.  She  had 
often  thought  of  cutting  it  off,  but  it  was  still 
there. 


158 


CHAPTER  IV 

In  the  course  of  the  two  first  years  of  her 
marriage  she  had  two  children.  Whenever 
she  was  alone,  she  divided  her  time  between 
them  and  her  teaching.  Her  husband  hardly 
contributed  anything  to  the  household,  except 
during  the  brief  periods  that  he  passed  at  home, 
and  then  the  money  was  squandered  in  the  ex- 
travagant life  which  he  led  with  his  companions. 
During  these  visits  the  young  ones  were  sent 
off  to  their  aunt.  One  could  not  take  four  steps 
without  going  through  the  walls  of  this  wretched 
little  house,”  he  said.  At  these  times  she  also 
gave  up  the  lessons ; she  had  no  time  for  any- 
thing except  to  wait  on  him. 

Every  one  realised  that  she  could  not  be  happy, 
but  no  one  suspected  that  her  whole  life  was  one 
1 59 


ONE  DAY 


of  dread — dread  of  the  telegram  which  would 
announce  his  coming,  if  only  for  a few  days, 
dread  of  what  might  happen  when  he  came. 
When  he  was  there  she  never  attempted  to 
oppose  him,  but  displayed  to  him,  and  every  one 
else,  those  frank  eyes  and  quick,  but  quiet,  ways 
which  enabled  her  to  come  and  go  without  being 
noticed.  When  he  was  gone,  she  would  sud- 
denly collapse,  and,  worn  out  with  the  strain  of 
days  and  nights,  be  obliged  to  take  to  her 
bed. 

Each  time  that  he  came  home  he  kept  less 
guard  over  himself,  and  was  more  careless  as 
regarded  others.  Had  she  known  that  men 
who  have  expended  their  strength  as  he  had 
done  are  as  a rule  worn  out  at  forty — and  many 
such  are  to  be  found  in  the  coast-towns — she 
would  have  understood  that  these  very  things 
were  signs  of  failure.  He  had  advanced  far 
along  the  road.  To  her  he  only  appeared  more 
and  more  disgusting.  He  was  but  little  at  home, 
which  helped  her.  She  had  determined  that 
she  and  her  boys  should  live  in  the  best 
i6o 


ONE  DAY 


manner,  and  this  again  was  a help  to  her ; but 
more  than  all  was  her  constant  employment  and 
the  regard  which  every  one  felt  for  her.  After 
five  years  of  marriage  she  looked  as  charming  as 
ever,  and  appeared  as  cheerful  and  lively ; she 
was  accustomed  to  conceal  her  feelings. 

Her  children  were  now — the  elder  four,  the 
second  three  years  old.  They  were  rarely  seen 
anywhere  but  in  the  market-place,  on  the  snow- 
heaps  in  winter  and  on  the  sand-heaps  in 
summer,  or  else  they  were  in  the  country  with 
their  aunt  whom  they  had  adopted  as  ^‘grand- 
mother.'^ 

Next  to  the  care  of  the  little  boys,  flowers 
were  Ella's  greatest  delight.  She  had  a great 
many,  which  made  the  house  appear  smaller  than 
it  really  was.  She  could  play  with  the  boys,  but 
she  could  share  her  thoughts  with  the  flowers, 
When  she  watered  them,  sne  felt  acutely  how 
much  she  suffered.  When  she  dried  their 
leaves,  she  longed  for  pleasant  words  and  kindly 
eyes.  When  she  removed  dead  twigs  and 
superfluous  shoots,  when  she  re-potted  them. 


ONE  DAY 


she  often  cried  with  longing ; the  thought  that 
there  was  no  one  to  care  for  her  overcame  her. 

Five  years  were  gone,  then,  when  one  day  it 
was  reported  through  the  whole  town  that  Aksel 
Aaro  had  become  a rich  man.  His  old  friend 
was  dead  and  had  left  him  a large  annuity.  It 
was  also  said  that  he  had  been  a second  time 
treated  for  dypsomania.  The  previous  treatment 
had  not  been  successful,  but  he  was  now  cured. 
One  could  see  how  popular  Aard  was,  for  there 
was  hardly  anybody  who  was  not  pleased. 

On  Wednesday  the  i6th  of  March,  1892,  at 
four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  Ella  sat  at  work 
near  her  flowers ; from  there  she  could  see  the 
hotel.  At  the  corner  window  in  the  second 
story  stood  the  man  of  whom  she  was  thinking 
— stood  and  looked  down  at  her. 

She  got  up  and  he  bowed  twice.  She 
remained  standing  as  he  crossed  the  market- 
place. He  wore  a dark  fur  cap,  and  his  fair 
beard  hung  down  over  his  black  silk  waistcoat. 
His  face  was  rather  pale,  but  there  was  a brighter 
expression  in  his  eyes.  He  knocked,  she  could 


ONE  DAY 


not  speak  or  move,  but  when  he  opened  the 
door  and  came  into  the  room,  she  sank  into  a 
chair  and  wept.  He  came  slowly  forward,  took 
a chair  and  sat  down  near  her.  '‘You  must  not 
be  frightened  because  I came  straight  to  you,  it 
is  such  a pleasure  to  see  you  again.”  Ah  ! how 
they  sounded  in  this  house,  those  few  words 
full  of  consideration  and  confidence.  He  had 
acquired  a foreign  accent,  but  the  voice,  the 
voice ! And  he  did  not  misconstrue  her  weak- 
ness, but  tried  to  help  her.  By  degrees  she 
became  her  old  self,  confiding,  bright,  timid. 

“It  was  so  entirely  unexpected,”  she  said. 

“ All  that  has  occurred  in  the  meantime  rushes 
in  on  one,”  he  added  courteously. 

Not  much  more  was  said.  He  was  preparing 
to  leave,  when  his  brother-in-law  entered.  Aaro 
looked  at  her  boys  out  on  the  snow-heap,  he 
looked  at  her  flowers,  her  piano,  her  music, 
then  asked  if  he  might  come  again.  He  had 
been  there  hardly  five  minutes,  but  an  impression 
rested  on  her  mind  somewhat  as  the  magnificent 
fair  beard  rested  on  the  silk  waistcoat.  The 
163 


ONE  DAY 


room  was  hallowed,  the  piano,  the  music,  the 
chair  on  which  he  had  sat,  even  the  carpet  on 
which  he  had  walked — in  his  very  walk  there 
was  consideration  for  her.  She  felt  that  all  that 
he  had  said  and  done  showed  sympathy  for  her 
fate.  She  could  do  nothing  more  that  day,  she 
hardly  slept  during  the  night,  but  the  change 
which  had  taken  place  in  her  was  nothing  less 
than  the  bringing  of  something  into  the  daylight 
again  from  five  years  ago,  from  six  years  indeed, 
as  one  brings  flowers  out  of  the  cellar,  where 
they  have  been  put  for  their  winter  sleep,  up  into 
the  spring-time  again.  As  this  thought  passed 
through  her  mind,  she  made  the  same  gesture  at 
least  twenty  times,  she  laid  both  hands  on  her 
breast,  one  over  the  other,  as  though  to  control 
it : it  must  not  speak  too  loudly. 

The  next  day  their  conversation  flowed  more 
freely.  The  children  were  called  in.  After 
looking  at  them  for  a while,  he  said:  "You 
have  something  real  there.” 

In  a little  time  they  were  such  good  friends, 

he  and  the  boys,  that  he  was  down  on  all-fours 

164 


ONE  DAY 


playing  horses  with  them,  and  did  some  quite  new 
tricks  which  they  thought  extremely  amusing ; 
he  then  invited  them  to  come  for  a drive  the 
next  day.  After  a thaw,  there  had  been  an 
unusually  heavy  fall  of  snow;  the  town  was 
white  and  the  state  of  the  roads  perfect. 

Before  he  left  Ella  offered  to  brush  him ; 
the  carpet  had  not  been  as  well  swept  as  it 
should  have  been.  He  took  the  clothes-brush 
from  her  and  used  it  himself,  but  he  had 
unfortunately  lain  on  his  back  as  well,  so  she 
was  obliged  to  help  him.  She  brushed  his  coat 
lightly  and  deftly,  but  she  was  never  satisfied, 
nor  was  he  yet  properly  brushed  in  front.  He 
had  to  do  it  over  again  : she  stood  and  looked 
on.  When  he  had  finished  she  took  the  brush 
into  the  kitchen. 

''  How  funny  that  you  should  still  wear  your 
plait,”  said  he,  as  she  went  out.  She  remained 
away  for  some  time,  and  came  in  again  by 
another  door.  He  had  gone.  The  children 
said  that  some  one  had  come  across  for  him. 

The  next  morning  the  little  boys  had  their 
165 


ONE  DAY 


drive.  They  did  not  return  until  late  in  the 
afternoon.  They  had  been  to  Baadshaug,  a 
watering-place  with  an  hotel  and  an  excellent 
restaurant,  to  which  people  were  very  fond  of 
making  excursions  during  the  winter.  His 
sister’s  youngest  boy  was  with  them,  and  while 
all  three  went  back  with  the  horses  to  “ Andre- 
sen’s  at  the  corner,”  Aar6  remained  standing  in 
the  passage.  Never  had  Ella  seen  him  so 
cheerful.  His  eyes  sparkled,  and  he  talked 
from  the  time  he  came  to  the  time  he  left. 
He  talked  about  the  Norwegian  winter  which 
he  had  never  realised  before ; how  could  that 
have  been  ? For  many  years  he  had  had  in 
his  repertoire  a song  in  praise  of  winter,  the  old 
winter  song  which  she  knew  as  well : “ Summer 
sleeps  in  winter’s  arms  ” — yes,  she  knew  it — 
and  he  only  now  realised  how  true  it  was. 
The  influence  of  winter  on  people’s  lives  must 
be  immense ; why  it  was  nearly  half  their  lives ; 
what  health  and  beauty  and  what  power  of 
imagination  it  must  give.  He  began  to  describe 
what  he  had  seen  in  the  woods  that  day.  He 
1 66 


ONE  DAY 


did  not  use  many  words,  but  he  gave  a 
clear  picture ; he  talked  till  he  became  quite 
excited,  and  looked  at  her  the  whole  time  with 
a rapturous  expression. 

It  was  but  for  a few  moments.  He  stood 
there  muffled  in  furs : but  when  he  had  gone 
it  seemed  to  her  that  she  had  never  truly  seen 
him  before.  He  was  an  enthusiast  then — an 
enthusiast  whose  depths  never  revealed  them- 
selves. Was  his  singing  a message  from  this 
enthusiasm  ? Was  this  why  his  voice  carried 
everybody  away  with  it  into  another  region  ? 
That  melancholy  father  of  his,  when  a craving 
for  drink  seized  him,  would  shut  himself  up 
with  his  violin,  and  play  and  play  till  he  became 
helpless.  Had  the  son,  too,  this  dislike  of 

companionship,  this  delight  in  his  own  en- 
thusiam  ? God  be  praised,  Aksel  Aaro  was 

saved ! Was  it  not  from  the  depths  of  his 
enthusiasm  that  he  had  looked  at  her  ? This 
forced  itself  upon  her  for  the  first  time ; she 
had  been  occupied  before  by  the  change  in  him, 
but  now  it  forced  itself  upon  her — hotly,  with 
167 


ONE  DAY 


a thrill  of  fear  and  joy.  A message  of  gladness 
which  still  quivered  with  doubt.  Was  the 
decisive  moment  of  her  life  approaching  ? She 
felt  that  she  coloured.  She  could  not  remain 
quiet ; she  went  to  the  window  to  look  for  him  ; 
then  paced  the  room,  trying  to  discover  what 
she  might  believe.  All  his  words,  his  looks, 
his  gestures,  since  he  had  first  come  there,  rose 
before  her.  But  he  had  been  reserved,  almost 
niggardly,  with  them.  But  that  was  just  their 
charm.  His  eyes  had  now  interpreted  them, 
and  those  eyes  enveloped  her;  she  gave  herself 
absolutely  up  to  them. 

Her  servant  brought  in  a letter ; it  was  a 
Christmas  card,  in  an  envelope  without  a direc- 
tion, from  Aksel  Aaro — one  of  the  usual  Christ- 
mas cards,  representing  a number  of  young 
people  in  snow-shoes.  Below  was  printed  : 

Winter  white, 

Has  roses  red. 

On  the  other  side,  in  a clear  round  hand,  “ In 
the  woods  to-day  I could  not  but  think  of  you. 
A.  A..”  That  was  all. 


ONE  DAY 


‘^That  is  like  him,  he  says  nothing  more. 
When  he  passes  a shop-window  in  which  he 
sees  such  a card,  he  thinks  of  me ; and  not 
only  does  he  think  of  me  but  he  sends  me  his 
thoughts.”  Or  was  she  mistaken.  Ella  was 
diffident ; surely  this  could  not  be  misconstrued. 
The  Christmas  card — was  it  not  a harbinger  ? 
The  two  young  couples  on  it  and  the  words — 
surely  he  meant  something  by  that.  His  en- 
raptured eyes  again  rose  before  her ; they 
seemed  not  only  to  envelop  her,  but  to  caress 
her.  She  thought  neither  of  past  nor  future; 
she  lived  only  in  the  present.  She  lay  wide 
awake  that  night  looking  at  the  moonlight. 
Now,  now,  now,  was  whispered.  Had  she 
but  clung  to  the  dream  of  her  life,  even  when 
the  reality  had  seemed  so  cruel,  she  would  have 
held  her  own ; because  she  had  been  uncertain 
about  it,  all  had  become  uncertain.  But  the 
greater  the  suffering  had  been,  the  greater, 
perhaps,  would  be  the  bliss.  She  fell  asleep 
in  the  soft  white  light,  which  she  took  with  her 
into  her  dreams.  She  woke  among  light,  bright 
169 


ONE  DAY 


clouds,  which  gathered  round  the  glittering 
thought  of  what  might  be  awaiting  her  to-day. 
He  had  not  said  a word.  This  bashfulness 
was  what  she  loved  the  best  of  anything  in 
him.  It  was  just  that  which  was  the  surest 
pledge.  It  would  be  to-day. 


170 


CHAPTER  V 


She  took  a long  time  over  her  bath,  an  almost 
longer  time  in  doing  her  hair ; out  of  the  chest 
of  drawers,  which  she  had  used  as  a child,  and 
which  still  stood  in  its  old  place — out  of  its 
lowest  drawer  she  took  her  finest  underlinen. 
She  had  never  worn  it  but  once — on  her  wed- 
ding-day— before  the  desecration,  never  since. 
But  to-day — Now,  now,  now  ! Not  one  garment 
which  she  put  on  had  ever  been  touched  by 
any  one  but  herself.  She  wished  to  be  what  she 
had  been  in  her  dreams. 

She  went  to  the  children,  who  were  awake 
but  not  dressed. 

“ Listen,  boys  ! To-day  Tea  shall  take  you 
to  see  grandmother,” 

171 


ONE  DAY 


Great  delight,  shared  by  Tea,  for  this  meant 
a holiday. 

“ Mamma,  mamma ! ” she  heard  behind  her,  as 
she  ran  down  to  the  kitchen  to  get  a cup  of 
coffee,  and  then  she  was  off.  First  she  must 
get  some  flowers,  then  put  off  her  lessons.  For 
now,  now,  now ! 

Out  in  the  street  she  remembered  that  it  was 
too  early  to  get  anything,  so  she  went  for  a walk, 
beyond  the  town,  the  freshest,  the  brightest, 
that  she  had  ever  taken.  She  came  back  again 
just  as  Fru  Holmbo  was  opening  her  shop.  As 
Ella  entered  the  “ flower- woman  ” was  holding 
an  expensive  bouquet  in  her  hand,  ready  to  be 
sent  out. 

“ I will  have  that ! ” cried  Ella,  shutting  the 
door  behind  her. 

“ You  ! ” said  Fru  Holmbo  a little  doubtfully  ; 
the  bouquet  was  a very  expensive  one. 

“Yes,  I must  have  it;”  Ella’s  little  green 
purse  was  ready.  The  bouquet  had  been 
ordered  for  the  best  house  in  the  town,  and  Fru 
Holmbo  said  so. 


172 


ONE  DAY 


''  That  does  not  matter/’  answered  Ella. 
Such  genuine  admiration  of  a bouquet  had 
never  been  seen — and  Ella  got  it. 

From  there  she  went  to  Andresen’s  at  the 
corner.”  One  of  the  shopmen  took  lessons  in 
book-keeping  from  her.  She  wished  to  put 
him  off,  and  asked  him  to  tell  the  whole  of  the 
large  class.  She  asked  him  this  with  kindling 
eyes,  and  he  gladly  promised  to  do  so.  The 
daintiest  red  shawl  was  hanging  just  before  her. 
She  must  have  it  to  wear  over  her  head  to-day 
when  she  drove  out ; for  that  she  would  drive 
to-day  there  was  no  doubt.  Andresen  himself 
came  up,  just  as  she  was  asking  about  the 
shawl.  He  caught  a glimpse  of  her  bouquet, 
under  the  paper.  Those  are  lovely  roses,”  he 
said.  She  took  one  out  at  once,  and  gave  it  to 
him.  From  the  rose  he  looked  at  her ; she 
laughed  and  asked  if  he  would  take  a little  off 
the  price  of  the  shawl ; she  had  not  quite 
enough  money  left. 

How  much  have  you  ? ” he  asked. 

Just  half  a krone  too  little,”  she  replied. 


173 


ONE  DAY 


He  himself  wrapped  up  the  shawl  for  her.  In 
the  street  she  met  Cecilie  Monrad,  whose  sister 
‘ studied  music  with  Ella ; she  was  thus  saved  a 
walk  to  the  other  end  of  the  town  to  put  her  off. 
“ Everything  favours  me  to-day,’'  she  thought. 

" Did  you  see  about  those  two  who  com- 
mitted suicide  together  at  Copenhagen  ? ” asked 
Cecilie. 

“ Yes,  she  had.”  Froken  Monrad  thought  that 
it  was  horrible. 

« Why  ? ” 

“ Why  the  man  was  married  ! ” 

“ True  enough,”  answered  Ella,  “ but  they 
loved  each  other."  Her  eyes  glowed ; Cecilie 
lowered  hers  and  blushed.  Ella  took  her  hand 
and  pressed  it.  ” I tumbled  into  a love-story 
there,”  she  thought,  and  flew,  rather  than  walked, 
up  to  the  villas,  where  most  of  her  pupils  lived. 
On  a roof  she  saw  two  starlings ; the  first  that 
year.  The  thaw  of  a few  days  back  had 
deceived  them.  Not  that  the  starlings  were 
dispirited.  No,  they  loved  ! “Mamma,  mamma,” 
she  seemed  to  hear  at  the  same  moment.  It 
174 


ONE  DAY 


was  certainly  her  boys ; she  had  thought  of 
them  when  she  saw  the  starlings.  She  was  so 
occupied  with  this  that  she  walked  right  across 
to  the  side  of  the  road  and  trod  on  a piece  of 
board,  which  tilted  up  and  nearly  threw  her 
down ; but  under  the  board  Spring  reigned. 
They  had  come  with  the  thaw,  they  were  cer- 
tainly dandelions ! However  ugly  they  may  be 
in  the  summer,  the  first  ones  are  always 
welcome.  She  stooped  down  and  gathered 
the  flowers ; she  put  them  with  the  roses. 
The  dandelions  looked  very  shabby  there,  but 
they  were  the  first  this  year,  and  found  to- 
day ! 

After  this  she  was  absolutely  boisterous. 
She  skipped  down  the  hills  when  her  errand 
was  finished.  She  greeted  friends  and  mere 
acquaintance  alike,  and  when  she  again  saw 
Cecilie  she  put  down  the  flowers,  made  a snow- 
ball, and  threw  it  at  her  back. 

When  she  got  home  she  wrapped  the  children 
well  up  and  put  them  into  the  sledge  with  Tea. 
“ Mamma,  mamma ! ” they  shouted  and  pointed 
175 


ONE  DAY 


up  towards  the  hotel.  There  stood  Aksel  Aare. 
He  bowed  to  her. 

Soon  afterwards  he  came  across.  “ You  are 
quite  alone,”  he  said  as  he  entered. 

“ Yes.”  She  was  arranging  the  flowers  and 
did  not  look  up  for  she  was  trembling. 

"Is  it  a birthday  to-day?”  he  asked. 

“ Do  you  mean  because  of  the  flowers  ? ” 

“Yes.  What  lovely  roses,  and  those  in  the 
glass — dandelions  ? ” 

“ The  first  this  year,”  she  answered. 

He  did  not  look  at  them.  He  stood  and 
fidgeted,  as  though  he  were  thinking  of  some- 
thing. 

“ May  I sing  to  you  ? ” He  said  at  last. 

“Yes,  indeed.”  She  left  the  flowers,  in  order 
to  open  the  piano  and  screw  down  the  music- 
stool,  and  then  drew  quietly  back. 

After  a long  and  subdued  prelude,  he  began 
with  the  “ Sunset  Song,”  by  Ole  Olsen,  very  softly, 
as  he  had  spoken  and  moved  ever  since  he  came 
in.  Never  had  he  sung  more  beautifully ; he 

had  greatly  improved,  but  the  voice  was  the 
176 


ONE  DAY 


same,  nay,  there  was  even  more  despair  and 
suffering  in  it  than  when  she  had  heard  it  for 
the  first  time.  ''  Sorrow,  sorrow,  oh,  I am  lost ! ” 
She  heard  it  again  plainly.  At  the  end  of  the 
first  verse,  she  sat  bending  forward,  and  weeping 
bitterly.  She  had  not  even  tried  to  control  her- 
self. He  heard  her  and  turned  round,  a moment 
afterwards  she  felt  him  approach  her,  it  even 
seemed  to  her  that  he  kissed  her  plait,  certainly 
he  had  bent  down  over  her,  for  she  could  feel 
his  breath.  But  she  did  not  raise  her  head,  she 
dare  not. 

He  walked  across  the  room,  returned  and  then 
walked  back  again.  Her  agitation  subsided,  she 
sat  immovable  and  waited. 

May  I be  allowed  to  take  you  for  a drive 
to-day  ? ” she  heard  him  say. 

She  had  known  the  whole  morning  that  they 
would  go  for  a drive  together,  so  she  was  not 
surprised.  Just  as  that  had  now  been  fulfilled, 
so  would  the  other  be — everything.  She  looked 
up  through  her  tears  and  smiled.  He  smiled 
too. 


177 


M 


ONE  DAY 


I will  go  and  see  about  the  horses,”  he  said, 
and  as  she  did  not  answer  he  left  her. 

She  went  back  to  the  flowers.  So  she  had 
not  been  able  to  give  them  to  him.  She  would 
throw  away  the  dandelions.  As  she  took  them 
out  of  the  glass,  she  recalled  the  words,  ^'You 
have  something  real  there.”  They  had  certainly 
not  been  said  about  the  dandelions,  but  they  had 
often  since  recurred  to  her.  Was  it  strange 
that  they  should  do  so  now  ? She  let  the 
dandelions  remain. 

Aaro  stayed  away  a long  time,  more  than  an 
hour,  but  when  he  returned  he  was  very  cheer- 
ful. He  was  in  a smart  ladies’  sledge,  in  the 
handsome  furs  which  he  had  worn  the  day  before  ; 
the  most  valuable  ones  that  she  had  ever 
seen.  He  saluted  with  his  whip,  and  talked  and 
laughed  with  every  one,  old  and  young,  who 
gathered  round  him  while  Ella  put  on  her  things. 
That  was  soon  done  ; she  had  not  many  wraps, 
nor  did  she  need  them. 

He  got  down  when  she  appeared,  came 

forward,  muffled  her  up  and  drove  off  at  a trot. 

178 


ONE  DAY 


As  they  went  he  stooped  over  her  and  whispered, 
**  How  good  of  you  to  come  with  me.”  His 
voice  was  very  genial,  but  there  was  something 
quite  different  about  his  breath.  As  soon  as  the 
handsome  horses  had  slackened  speed,  he  stooped 
forward  again. 

I have  telephoned  to  Baadshaug  to  order 
lunch,  it  will  be  ready  when  we  get  there ; you 
do  not  mind  ? ” 

She  turned,  so  as  to  raise  her  head  towards 
him,  their  faces  almost  met. 

“ I forgot  to  thank  you  for  the  card  yester- 
day.” 

He  coloured.  I repented  afterwards,”  he  said, 
but  at  the  moment,  I could  not  but  think  of 
you ; how  you  suit  it  out  here.”  Now  she 
coloured  and  drew  back.  Then  she  heard  close 
by  her  : You  must  not  be  angry,  it  always 

happens  that  when  we  wish  to  repair  a blunder, 
we  make  another.” 

She  would  have  liked  to  have  seen  his  eyes, 
as  he  said  this,  but  she  dare  not  look  at  him. 
At  all  events  it  was  more  than  he  had  said  up  to 
179 


ONE  DAY 


the  present  time.  His  words  fell  softly  on  her 
ears.  Before  to-day  she  had  almost  misinter- 
preted his  reserve,  but  how  beautiful  it  made 
everything.  She  worshipped  it. 

“ In  a little  time  we  shall  come  to  the  woods, 
then  we  will  stop  and  look  round  us,”  he  said. 

“ There"  she  thought. 

He  drove  on  at  a quick  trot.  How  happy 
she  was  ! The  sunlight  sparkled  on  the  snow, 
the  air  was  warm,  she  had  to  loosen  the  shawl 
over  her  head,  and  he  helped  her  to  do  so. 
Again  she  became  aware  of  his  breath,  there  was 
something,  not  tobacco,  more  delicate,  pleasanter, 
but  what  was  it  ? It  seemed  to  harmonise  with 
him.  She  felt  very  happy,  with  an  overflow 
of  joy  in  the  scene  through  which  they  were 
driving  and  which  continually  increased  in 
beauty. 

On  one  side  of  the  road  were  the  mountains, 
the  white  mountains,  which  took  a warm  tint 
from  the  sunlight.  In  front  of  the  mountains 
were  lower  hills,  partly  covered  by  woods, 
and  among  these  lay  scattered  farms.  The 
180 


ONE  DAY 


farms  were  soon  passed  and  then  came  woods, 
nothing  but  woods.  On  the  other  side  of  the 
road  they  had  the  sea  for  the  whole  way,  but 
between  them  and  it  were  flat  expanses,  probably 
marshes.  The  sea  looked  steel-grey  against  the 
snow.  It  spoke  of  another  part  of  life,  of  eternal 
unrest ; protest  after  protest  against  the  snow 
idyl. 

During  the  thaw,  tree-trunks,  branches,  and 
fences  had  become  wet.  The  first  snow  which 
fell,  being  itself  wet,  had  stuck  to  them.  But 
when  all  this  froze  together,  and  there  was 
another  overwhelming  fall,  outlines  were  formed 
over  the  frozen  surface,  such  as  one  rarely  sees 
the  like  of.  The  weight  of  the  first  soft  snow 
had  caused  it  to  slip  down,  but  it  had  been 
arrested  here  and  there  by  each  inequality, 
and  there  it  had  collected,  or  else  it  had 
slid  under  the  branches,  or  down  on  both  sides 
of  the  fences ; when  this  had  been  augmented 
both  by  drift  and  fall,  the  most  whimsical  animal 
forms  were  produced — white  cats,  white  hares 
clawed  the  tree-trunks  with  bent  backs  and  heads 

I8i 


ONE  DAY 


and  fore- quarters  outstretched,  or  sat  under 
the  branches,  or  on  the  hedges.  White  beasts 
were  there,  some  appeared  the  size  of  martens, 
but  occasionally  they  seemed  as  large  as  lynxes  or 
even  tigers  ; besides  these  there  were  numberless 
small  animals,  white  mice,  and  squirrels,  here, 
there,  and  everywhere.  Again  there  were,  be- 
sides, all  sorts  of  oddities,  mountebanks  who 
hung  by  their  heels,  clowns  and  goblins  on 
the  tops  of  the  fences,  dwarfs  with  big  sacks 
on  their  backs ; an  old  hat  or  a nightcap  : an 
animal  without  a head,  another  with  a neck  of 
preposterous  length,  an  enormous  mitten,  an  over- 
turned water-can.  In  some  places  the  blackened 
foliage  remained  uncovered,  and  formed  ara- 
besques against  the  drifts  ; in  others,  masses  of 
snow  lay  on  the  branches  of  the  fir-trees  with 
green  above  and  beneath,  forming  wonderful 
contrasts  of  colour.  Aaro  drew  up  and  they  both 
got  out  of  the  sledge. 

Now  they  gained  a whole  series  of  fresh 
impressions.  Right  in  front  of  them  stood  an 
old  pine-tree,  half  prostrated  in  the  struggle  of 


ONE  DAY 


life ; but  was  he  not  dreaming,  here  in  the 
winter,  the  loveliest  of  all  dreams,  that  he  was 
young  again  ? In  the  joyous  growth  of  this 
snow-white  glory  he  had  forgotten  all  pain  and 
decay,  forgotten  the  moss  on  his  bark,  the 
rottenness  of  his  roots  was  concealed.  A 
rickety  gate  had  been  taken  from  its  place  and 
was  propped  against  the  fence,  broken  and  use- 
less. The  artist  hand  of  winter  had  sought  it 
out  too,  and  glorified  it,  and  it  was  now  an 
architectural  masterpiece.  The  slanting  black 
gate-posts  were  a couple  of  young  dandies,  with 
hats  on  one  side  and  jaunty  air.  The  old, 
grey,  mossy  rails — one  could  not  imagine 
Paradise  within  a more  beautiful  enclosure. 
Their  blemishes  had  in  this  resurrection  become 
their  greatest  beauty.  Their  knots  and  crannies 
were  the  chief  building  ground  for  the 
snow,  each  hole  filled  up  by  a donation  of 
heavenly  crystals  from  the  clouds.  Their  dis- 
figuring splinters  were  now  covered  and  kissed, 
shrouded  and  decorated ; all  blemishes  were 
obliterated  in  the  universal  whiteness.  A tumble- 
183 


ONE  DAY 


down  moss-grown  hut  by  the  roadside-— now 
more  extravagantly  adorned  than  the  richest 
bride  in  the  world,  covered  over  from  heaven’s 
own  lap  in  such  abundance  that  the  white  snow 
wreaths  hung  half  a yard  beyond  the  roof ; in 
some  places  folded  back  with  consummate  art. 
The  grey-black  wall  under  the  snow  wreaths 
looked  like  an  old  Persian  fabric.  It  seemed 
ready  to  appear  in  a Shakespearean  drama  The 
background  of  mountains  and  hills  gleamed  in  the 
sunlight. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  Ella  seemed  to  hear 
two  little  cries  of  Mamma,  mamma!”  When 
she  looked  round  for  her  companion  he  was 
sitting  on  the  sledge,  quite  overcome,  while 
tears  flowed  down  his  cheeks. 

They  drove  on  again,  but  slowly.  ‘‘  I 
remember  this  muddy  road,”  said  he ; his  voice 
sounded  very  sad.  The  trees  shaded  it  so 
that  it  was  hardly  ever  dry,  but  now  it  is 
beautiful.” 

She  turned  and  raised  her  head  towards  him. 

Ah  ! sing  a little,”  she  said. 

184 


ONE  DAY 


He  did  not  answer  at  once,  and  she  regretted 
that  she  had  asked  him  ; at  length  he  said  : 

I was  thinking  of  it,  but  I became  so 
agitated ; do  not  speak  for  a moment  and  then 
perhaps  I can — the  old  winter  song,  that  is  to 
say.” 

She  understood  that  he  could  not  do  so  until 
he  completely  realised  it.  These  silent  enthu- 
siasts were  indeed  fastidious  about  what  was 
genuine.  Most  things  were  not  genuine  enough 
for  them.  That  is  why  they  are  so  prone  to 
intoxicate  themselves ; they  wish  to  get  away, 
to  form  a world  for  themselves.  Yes,  now  he 
sang : 


In  winter^ s arms  doth  summer  sleep 
By  winter  covered  calm  she  lay, 

“ Still ! ” he  cried  to  the  river’s  play, 

To  farm,  and  field  and  mountain  steep. 
Silence  reigns  o’er  hill  and  dale, 

No  sound  at  home  save  ringing  flail. 

All  that  summer  loved  to  see 
Till  she  returns  sleeps  safely  on. 

In  needed  rest,  the  summer  gone. 

Sleep  water,  meadow-grass  and  tree. 

Hid  like  the  kernel  in  the  nut 
The  earth  lies  crumbling  round  each  root. 
185 


ONE  DAY 


All  the  ills  which  summer  knew, 

Pest  and  blight  for  life  and  fruit 
Winter’s  hosts  have  put  to  rout. 

In  peace  she  shall  awake  again 
Purified  by  winds  and  snows, 

Peace  shall  greet  her  as  she  goes. 

A lovely  dream  has  winter  strown 
On  the  sleeping  mountain  height ; 

Star  high,  pale  in  northern  light. 

From  sight  to  sight  it  bears  her  on 
Through  the  long,  long  hours  of  night, 

Till  she  wakes  shall  be  her  flight. 

He  who  we  say  brings  naught  but  pain 
Lives  but  for  that  he  ne’er  shall  see. 

He  who  is  called  a murderer,  he 

Preserves  each  year  our  land  again. 

Then  hides  himself  by  crag  and  hill 
Till  evening’s  breeze  again  blows  chill. 

All  the  little  sleigh-bells  accompanied  the 
song,  like  the  twitter  of  sparrows.  His  voice 
echoed  through  the  trees,  the  religious  service 
of  a human  soul  in  the  white  halls. 

One  day,  felt  Ella,  paid  for  a thousand.  One 
day  may  do  what  the  winter  song  relates.  It 
may  rock  a weary  summer,  destroy  its  germs  of 
ill,  renew  the  earth,  make  the  nerves  strong, 
and  the  darkest  time  bright.  In  it  are  collected 
all  our  long  dreams.  What  might  she  not 

i86 


ONE  DAY 


have  become,  poor  little  thing  that  she  was, 
if  she  had  had  many  such  days  ? What 
would  she  not  then  have  become,  for  her 
children. 

They  now  drew  near  to  a long  building  with 
two  wings ; the  whole  built  of  wood.  In  the 
courtyard  a number  of  sledges  were  standing. 
There  were  a great  many  people  here  then  ! A 
stableman  took  their  horses  ; the  waiter  who 
was  to  attend  to  them,  a German,  was  quickly  at 
hand,  and  a bareheaded  jovial  man  joined  them 
as  well — it  was  Peter  Klausson.  He  seemed  to 
have  been  expecting  them,  and  wished  to  re- 
lieve Ella  of  her  wraps,  but  he  smelt  of  cognac 
or  something  of  the  sort,  and  to  get  rid  of  him 
she  inquired  for  the  room  in  which  they  were  to 
lunch.  They  were  shown  into  a warm  cosy 
apartment  where  the  table  was  laid.  Aaro 
helped  her  off  with  her  things. 

I could  not  endure  Peter  Klausson’s  breath,^* 
she  said,  at  which  Aaro  smiled. 

**  In  America  we  have  a remedy  for  that.^’ 

‘‘  What  do  you  mean  ? ” 

187 


ONE  DAY 


“ One  takes  something  which  scents  the 
breath.” 

A moment  later  he  asked  her  to  excuse  him. 
He  had  to  arrange  a few  things.  She  was  thus 
alone  until  some  one  knocked  at  the  door.  It 
was  Peter  Klausson  again.  He  saw  her  aston- 
ishment and  smiled. 

“ We  are  to  lunch  together,”  he  said. 

“ Are  we  ? ” she  replied. 

She  looked  at  the  table ; it  was  laid  for  five. 

“ Have  you  heard  lately  from  your  husband?” 

« No.” 

A long  pause.  Was  Peter  Klausson  fit  com- 
pany for  Aksel  Aar6  ? Her  husband’s  boon 
companion  ! Aaro,  who  will  have  nothing  but 
what  is  geniune.  But  as  she  thought  this,  she 
had  to  admit  that  Peter  Klausson’s  impulsive 
nature  was  perfectly  truthful,  which  indeed  it 
was.  The  waiter  came  in  with  a basket  of  wine, 
but  did  not  shut  the  door  after  him  until  he  had 
lifted  in  some  more  from  outside : champagne 
in  ice. 

“Shall  we  want  so  much  wine?”  asked  Ella. 


i8S 


ONE  DAY 


“ Oh,  it’s  all  right,”  answered  Peter  Klausson, 
evidently  delighted. 

“ But  Aaro  does  not  drink  wine  ! ” 

“ Aaro  ? When  he  asked  me  to  come  here 
to-day — I chanced  to  look  in  on  him — we  had 
some  first-rate  cognac  together.” 

Ella  turned  to  the  window,  for  she  felt  that 
she  had  grown  pale. 

Very  soon  AarO  came  in,  so  courteous  and 
stately  that  Peter  Klausson  felt  compelled  to 
take  his  hands  out  of  his  pockets.  He  hardly 
dared  to  speak.  Aaro  said  that  he  had  invited 
the  Holmbos,  but  they  had  just  sent  an  excuse.^ 
They  three  must  make  the  best  of  each  other’s 
society.  He  led  Ella  to  the  table. 

It  was  soon  evident  that  AarO  was  the  most 
delightful  and  accomplished  of  hosts.  He 
spoke  English  to  the  waiter,  and  directed  him 
by  frequent  signs,  covered  his  blunders,  and 
smoothed  away  every  little  difficulty,  in  such  a 
way  that  it  was  hardly  noticed.  All  the  time 
he  kept  up  a constant  flow  of  conversation, 
narrating  small  anecdotes  from  his  experiences 
189 


ONE  DAY 


of  society,  but  he  never  poured  out  wine  for 
himself,  and  when  he  raised  his  glass  his  hand 
shook,  Ella  had  fancied  before  that  this  was 
the  case — it  was  torture  to  her  now. 

Oysters  were  served  for  the  first  course ; she 
relished  them  thoroughly,  for  she  was  very 
hungry ; but  as  the  meal  proceeded,  she  became 
each  moment  less  able  to  enjoy  it.  At  last  her 
throat  seemed  to  contract,  she  felt  more  inclined 
to  cry  than  to  eat  and  drink. 

At  first  the  reason  was  not  clear  to  her.  She 
only  felt  that  this  was  absolutely  different  from 
what  she  had  dreamed  of.  This  glorious  day 
was  to  be  a disappointment.  At  first  she 
thought — this  will  end  some  time,  and  we  shall 
go  comfortably  home  again.  But  by  degrees,  as 
his  spirits  rose,  she  became  merely  the  guest  of 
a society  man.  As  such  she  was  shown  all 
imaginable  attention — indeed,  the  two  gentle- 
men joined  in  making  much  of  her,  till  she 
could  have  cried. 

After  luncheon  she  was  ceremoniously  con- 
ducted on  Aaro’s  arm  into  another  room  which 


ONE  DAY 


was  also  in  readiness  for  them  ; comfortable,  well 
furnished,  and  with  a piano. 

Coffee  was  served  at  once  with  liqueur,  and 
not  long  afterwards  the  two  men  asked  to  be 
excused  ; they  wanted  to  smoke,  they  would  not 
be  long.  They  went,  and  left  her  alone. 
This  was  scarcely  polite,  and  now  she  first 
realised  that  it  was  not  the  day  only,  but  Aaro, 
who  had  become  different  from  what  she  had 
believed  him.  The  great  darkness  which  had 
overwhelmed  her  on  the  night  of  the  ball  again 
menaced  her ; she  fought  against  it ; she  got  up 
and  paced  the  room;  she  longed  to  be  out  of  doors, 
as  though  she  could  find  him  again  there,  such 
as  she  had  imagined  him.  She  looked  for  the 
luncheon-room,  put  on  her  red  shawl,  and  had 
just  come  out  on  to  the  broad  space  before  the 
building,  when  the  waiter  came  up  to  her  and 
said  something  in  English  which  she  could  not 
at  first  understand.  Indeed,  she  was  too  much 
occupied  with  her  own  thoughts  to  be  able 
suddenly  to  change  languages. 

The  waiter  told  her  that  one  of  her  com- 


191 


ONE  DAY 


panions  was  ill,  and  the  other  not  to  be  found. 
Even  when  she  understood  the  words,  she  did 
not  realise  what  was  the  matter,  but  followed 
mechanically.  As  she  went  she  remembered 
that  AarO’s  tongue  had  not  been  quite  obedient 
when,  after  the  liqueur,  he  had  asked  permission 
to  go  and  smoke  ; surely  he  had  not  had  a stroke. 

They  passed  the  smoking-room,  which  seemed 
to  be  full — at  all  events  of  smoke  and  laughter. 
The  door  of  a little  room  by  the  side  of  it  was 
opened ; there  lay  Aksel  Aar6  on  a bed.  He 
must  have  slunk  in  there  alone,  perhaps  to 
drink  more ; indeed,  he  had  taken  a short  thick 
bottle  in  with  him,  which  still  stood  on  a table 
by  the  bed,  on  which  he  lay  fully  dressed  with 
closed  eyes  and  without  sense  or  feeling. 

“ Tip,  tip,  Pete ! ” he  said  to  her,  and  repeated 
it  with  outstretched  finger,  " Tip,  tip,  Pete  1 ” He 
spoke  in  a falsetto  voice.  Did  he  mean  Peter  ? 
Did  he  take  her  for  a man  ? Behind  him  on  a 
pillow  lay  something  hairy;  it  was  a toupet ; 
she  now  saw  that  he  was  bald  on  the  crown. 
“ Tip,  tip,  Pet^ ! ” she  heard  as  she  rushed  out. 

192 


ONE  DAY 


Few  people  have  felt  smaller  than  Ella  as  she 
trudged  along  the  country  road,  back  to  the 
town  as  fast  as  her  short  legs  could  carry  her, 
in  thin  shoes  and  winter  attire.  The  heavy 
cloak  which  she  had  worn  for  driving  was  un- 
fastened, she  carried  the  shawl  in  her  hand, 
but  still  the  perspiration  streamed  off  her ; the 
idea  was  upon  her  that  it  was  her  dreams  which 
were  falling  from  her. 

At  first  she  only  thought  of  Aksel  Aaro,  the 
unhappy  lost  one  ! To-morrow  or  the  next 
day  he  would  leave  the  country  ; she  knew  this 
from  past  experience,  and  this  time  it  would  be 
.for  ever. 

But  as  she  thought  how  terrible  it  was,  the 
toupet  on  the  pillow  seemed  to  ask : Was 
Aksel  Aaro  so  very  genuine  ? ” ‘‘Yes,  yes,  how 
could  he  help  it  if  he  became  bald  so  early 
“ H^m,”  answered  the  toupet;  “he  could  have 
confessed  to  it.’^ 

She  struggled  on  ; luckily  she  did  not  meet 
any  one,  nor  was  she  overtaken  by  any  of  those 
who  had  been  at  Baadshaug.  She  must  look 


193 


N 


ONE  DAY 


very  comical,  perspiring  and  tearful,  with  un- 
fastened cloak,  in  thin  shoes  and  with  a shawl 
in  her  hand.  Several  times  she  slackened  her 
pace,  but  the  disturbance  of  her  feelings  was 
too  great,  and  it  was  her  nature  to  struggle 
forward. 

But  through  all  her  feverish  haste  the  great 
question  forced  itself  upon  her : Would  you 

not  wish  now,  Ella,  to  relinquish  all  your  dreams, 
since  time  after  time  things  go  so  badly  ? She 
sobbed  violently  and  ans  wered  : Not  for  worlds. 
No ! for  these  dreams  are  the  best  things  that 
I have.  They  have  given  me  the  power  to 
measure  others  so  that  I can  never  exalt  ^ 
anything  which  is  base.  No ! I have  woven 
them  round  my  children  as  well,  so  that  I have 
a thousand  times  more  pleasure  in  them.  They 
and  the  flowers  are  all  that  I have.^*  And  she 
sobbed  and  pressed  on. 

But  now  you  will  have  no  dream,  Ella  ! ” 

At  first  she  did  not  know  what  to  reply  to 
this,  it  seemed  but  too  true,  too  terribly  true, 
and  the  toupet  showed  itself  again. 


194 


ONE  DAY 


It  was  here  that  Aaro  had  sung  the  old 
winter  song,  and  as  the  tinkle  of  the  sledge- 
bells  had  accompanied  it,  so  now  her  tears  were 
unceasingly  accompanied  by  two  little  voices : 

Mamma,  mamma  ! ” It  was  not  strange,  for 
it  was  towards  the  children  that  she  was  hurry- 
ing, but  now  they  seemed  to  demand  that  she 
should  dream  about  them.  No,  no!  ^‘You 
have  something  real  there,^^  Aarons  voice  seemed 
to  say.  She  remembered  his  saying  it,  she 
remembered  his  sadness  as  he  did  so.  Had 
he  really  thought  of  himself  and  her,  or  of  the 
children  and  her  ? Had  he  compared  his  own 
weakness  with  their  health,  with  their  future  ? 
Her  thoughts  wandered  far  away  from  the  boys, 
and  she  was  once  more  immersed  in  all  his  words 
and  looks,  trying  by  them  to  solve  this  enigma.  But 
these,  with  the  yearning  and  pain,  came  back  as 
they  had  never  done  before.  Her  whole  life 
was  over ; her  dream  was  of  too  long  standing, 
too  strong,  too  clear,  the  roots  could  not  be 
pulled  up ; it  was  impossible.  Were  they  not 
round  everything  which,  next  day,  she  should 


195 


ONE  DAY 


see,  or  touch,  or  use  ? As  a last  stroke  she 
remembered  that  the  boys  were  not  at  home ; 
she  would  come  to  an  empty  house. 

But  she  resisted  still ; for  when  she  got 
home  and  had  bathed  and  gone  to  bed, 
and  again  the  moonlight  shone  in  on  her  and 
reminded  her  of  her  thoughts  the  night  before, 
she  turned  away  and  cried  aloud  like  a child. 
None  could  enter,  none  could  hear  her;  her 
heart  was  young,  as  though  she  were  but 
seventeen ; it  could  not,  it  would  not  give  up ! 

What  was  it,  in  fact,  that  she,  had  wished  for 
to-day  ? She  did  not  know — no,  she  did  not ! 
She  only  knew  that  her  happiness  was  there — 
and  so  she  had  let  it  remain.  Now  she  was 
disappointed  and  deluded  in  a way  that  certainly 
few  had  been. 

She  could  not  bear  to  desecrate  him  further. 
Then  the  winter  song  swept  pa§t  in  his  voice, 
sweet,  full,  sorrowful,  as  if  it  wished  to  make 
all  clear  to  her ; and,  tractable  as  a child,  she 
composed  herself  and  listened.  What  did  it 
say  ? That  her  dreams  united  two  summers, 
196 


ONE  DAY  . 


the  one  which  had  been  and  the  one  which 
was  slowly  struggling  up  anew.  Thanks  be 
to  the  dreams  which  had  awakened  it.  It  said, 
too,  that  the  dreams  were  something  in  them- 
selves often  of  greater  truth  than  reality  itself. 
She  had  felt  this  when  she  was  tending  her 
flowers. 

In  her  uneasy  tossing  in  her  bed,  her  plait 
had  come  close  to  her  hand.  Sadly  she  drew 
it  forward  ; he  had  kissed  it  again  to-day.  And 
so  she  lay  on  her  side,  and  took  it  between  her 
hands,  and  cried. 

Mamma,  mamma  ! ” she  heard  whispered, 
and  thus  she  slept. 


'i*  ri 


■ i-r-  ' 


